Maria Sharapova has described her French Open semi-final victory over Petra Kvitova as an "amazing feeling".

A 6-3 6-3 win against the Wimbledon champion on Thursday saw the Russian go to the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2008.

The triumph has also put the 25-year-old in the final at Roland Garros for the first time in her career.

"What an amazing feeling," she told the crowd after the match. "Having been in the semi-finals before I've always dreamed of playing on the final stage here and now I have that opportunity.

"A few years ago I don't know if I even had a ranking after having my shoulder surgery (in August 2008) and it's special to be back on top again."

Sharapova will face Sara Errani in Sunday's final following the Italian's /tennisthree-set triumph over US Open winner Samantha Stosur.