World number four Petra Kvitova came back from a one-set deficit to advance through to the semi-finals of the French Open at the expense of Yaroslava Shvedova this afternoon.

Kazakhstan's Shvedova looked to be heading for the first semi-finals of her career when she gained the opening set 6-3, before claiming an early break in the second set.

However, Wimbledon champion Kvitova responded with two breaks of Shvedova's serve on her way to forcing a deciding set courtesy of a 6-2 success.

The two players continued to trade service games during the third set as the encounter looked be heading for a tie-breaker.

Kvitova rallied late though to claim a break of serve and advance through to face Maria Sharapova in Friday's semi-finals with a 6-2 6-4 triumph.