Stosur first Australian to reach Paris semis in 12 years

PARIS - Samantha Stosur became the first Australian player to reach the semi-finals of the French Open since Patrick Rafter 12 years ago as she defeated Romanian teenager Sorana Cristea 6-1, 6-3 Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Queenslander will face the winner from seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova and number two Serena Williams.

Stosur, the first Australian to play a Roland Garros quarter since Nicole Bradtke in 1988, got off to a fast start and never let the part-time high school student into the match.

The winner, currently ranked 32nd, will improve to a career-best ranking Monday.