Japanese player Kunieda defeated world number three Maikel Scheffers in a repeat of the 2011 final at Roland Garros, but was made to work hard by the Dutchman, who came back from three games down in both sets, only to lose both by six games to four.

Houdet, the world number two, was also pushed in the other semi-final by 21-year-old Briton Gordon Reid, who was making his debut at a Grand Slam singles event.

Reid had defeated Houdet on two occasions already this season, but he could not repeat the feat as Houdet showed his class and experience to win through in straight sets with his home crowd behind him.

The world's number one women's player will be absent from the other singles final, however, after Dutchwoman Aniek van Koot was on the end of a shock defeat by German world number three Sabine Ellerbrock, who came from behind to win both sets 6-4.

"It's incredible, I am really happy." said Ellerbrock, a teacher by trade.

"I think it's my biggest win,"

"I don't know how I made it after the last few weeks.

Germany's Sabine Ellerbrock reached her second Grand Slam final after beating world number one Aniek van Koot in the semi-final

"I had a lot of work and practice and no time to recover.

"I don't know how I made it, but it is a great feeling."

The German was defeated by van Koot in her only other appearance at a Grand Slam final in Melbourne earlier this year, but she will have the chance to take her first title against Dutchwoman Jiske Griffoen, who overpowered South Africa's Kgothatso Montjane to win 6-1, 6-3.

"I am very happy, especially for my singles, as it's my first final here," said Griffioen following her win.

In the men's doubles, Houdet and Kunieda will team up in search of their second title together at Roland Garros, as they meet second seeds Reid and Dutchman Ronald Vink in the final.

The formidable Dutch duo of Griffioen and van Koot will be bidding for their third successive Grand Slam doubles title as they face Ellerbrock and her partner Sharon Walraven of the Netherlands.

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