PARIS (AP) -- Maria Sharapova is a three-time major champion and
a global superstar, and her story is well-known: born in Sibera,
moved with her father to Florida as a kid, worked with coach Nick
Bollettieri.

Her opponent in the French Open final, Sara Errani, has a tale
that is far less familiar. When she was 12, she struck out on her
own, leaving behind her family in Italy and heading off to
Bollettieri's famed tennis academy in Florida.

Far from her parents, and not yet able to speak English well,
Errani stuck it out for about 10 months, crying nearly every day.
She called home a lot.

Says her mother, Fulvia: "I knew she would figure things out."

Now 25, Errani most certainly has. She'll be playing in her
first Grand Slam final Saturday.