Maria Sharapova needs one more win to book her place in French Open qualifying after beating Anett Kontaveit to reach the semi-finals of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, while Andy Murray reached the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open after gaining revenge on Albert Ramos-Viñolas.

Sharapova is yet to drop a set following her return from a 15-month doping ban and saw off the spirited challenge of the Estonian qualifier Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4.

The ranking points Sharapova has collected mean she is already close to rejoining the top 250 on Monday, and victory in the last four in Stuttgart on Saturday would guarantee a spot in the top 200. That would be enough to earn her entry into the qualifying tournament at Roland Garros without the need for a wild card.

The French Tennis Federation will announce whether the two-times French Open champion has been awarded a wild card into the main draw on 16 May.

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After an understandably shaky start in her first match against Roberta Vinci, Sharapova has looked more and more like her old self. Kontaveit, ranked 73, appeared a kind draw for a last-eight clash but the 21-year-old has been in fine form and knocked out French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza in the second round.

Kontaveit was not afraid to go toe to toe with the Russian but, from 3-2, lost five straight games in a barrage of powerful hitting. Sharapova took control of the second set early and, although Kontaveit threatened a comeback, ultimately she could not get back on terms.

After breaking when Sharapova served for the match, Kontaveit had the chance to level but Sharapova stepped up once more and took her first match point with a thumping return.

Sharapova, who next faces Kristina Mladenovic, said: “I thought I had a really good rhythm. When you don’t know your opponent too well, the first six games we were trying to figure each other out but holding serve quite comfortably. When I got the opportunity I felt I really rolled with it and gained confidence from it.”

If Sharapova can build on the form she has already shown, it is certainly not impossible she could win a third French Open title. That would be a remarkable story following on from Roger Federer’s extraordinary Australian Open success after six months out injury.

Sharapova said: “What he’s done is amazing and obviously you want to follow in his footsteps and obviously I would love to have the type of comeback he’s had.”

Meanwhile, after his surprise defeat in Monte Carlo, Murray avoided losing to Ramos-Viñolas for the second successive week after the Spaniard missed a chance to serve for the match.

Murray, who came through 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) after two hours and 59 minutes, will face the fourth seed Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals.