Maria Sharapova of Russia greets the audience after the women's singles quarterfinal against Garbin Muguruza of Spain during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on June 3, 2014. Sharapova won 2-1. (Xinhua/Chen Xiaowei)

Maria Sharapova made a superb turnabout as she fought back from one set down to reach the French Open semifinal with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Garbine Muguruza.

Seventh seed Sharapova, the 2012 winner, seemed in trouble as she lost the first set in 27 minutes to 20-year-old Muguruza, the winner over defending champion Serena Williams in the second round.

But she produced an inspiring fight back to grind down the Spanish player to win in two hours and six minutes.

The Russian then broke for 2-1 in the decider to lead for the first time in the match, and secured a second break in the fifth game after Muguruza hit the net to go 4-1 in front. Muguruza was unable to fight back as Sharapova stormed to victory to book her place in the last four.

Sharapova will take on Eugenie Bouchard in the semifinal after the 20-year-old Canadian beat Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-5.