Errani to take on Sharapova in French Open final

[June 08, 2012]  PARIS (AP) -- Maria Sharapova is a three-time major champion and a global superstar, and her story is well-known: born in Sibera, moved with her father to Florida as a kid, worked with coach Nick Bollettieri.

Her opponent in the French Open final, Sara Errani, has a tale that is far less familiar. When she was 12, she struck out on her own, leaving behind her family in Italy and heading off to Bollettieri's famed tennis academy in Florida.

Far from her parents, and not yet able to speak English well, Errani stuck it out for about 10 months, crying nearly every day. She called home a lot.

Says her mother, Fulvia: "I knew she would figure things out."

Now 25, Errani most certainly has. She'll be playing in her first Grand Slam final Saturday.

[Associated Press]

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