Sharapova has struggled with an elbow injury this season

Top seed Maria Sharapova will face unseeded German Kristina Barrois in the final of the Strasbourg International after a busy day's play on Friday.

Sharapova, who beat Julia Goerges in her delayed quarter-final in the morning, beat Anabel Medina Garrigues 4-6 6-2 6-2 to secure her final spot.

In the other semi-final, Barrois came from a set down to beat America's Vania King 2-6 6-2 7-6 (8-6).

Sharapova reached the last four with an earlier 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 win over Goerges.

The Russian's exertions in the morning seemed to catch up with her in the semi-final, as she got off to a poor start against the three-time Strasbourg champion Garrigues.

Sharapova only managed to hold her serve once in the opening set, but the way she bounced back to win the next two fairly easily suggested she could be rediscovering her form just in time for the French Open, after an injury-blighted start to the year.

Her opponent, world number 77 Barrois, will be appearing in the first final of her career.

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