Maria Sharapova bounces back to no.1, one step away from the French Open title

Maria Sharapova is back at the no.1 spot in the WTA rankings following her victory in the women's semi final match against Petra Kvitova at Roland Garros.

She first captured the top rank in 2005.

''It's a long road back; it's a long process. It's a lot of days of frustration and uncertainty, not knowing if you'll ever get there, not knowing how much you want it, not knowing whether (there) would be a moment like that for you again,'' Sharapova said at the press conference with the WTA's glass vase signifying her no. 1 status sitting inches away.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)