PARIS: Sloane Stephens maintained her absolute best record towards fellow American Madison Keys as she blazed into the French Open final with a 6-4, 6-4 win on Thursday in a repeat of last yr's US Open final.
READ ALSO: Halep stops Muguruza to achieve 3rd French open final
In the primary all-American Roland Garros semi-final since 2002, the 10th-seeded Stephens stayed composed all over as Keys, who has now not gained a set towards her in three meetings, peppered the court docket with unforced mistakes.
Stephens, who had by no means long gone past the fourth spherical in Paris, will take on two times French Open runner-up and international primary Simona Halep of Romania in Saturday's final.
Regardless of the result, the 25-year-old Stephens will change into the primary American to damage into the highest five within the WTA ratings since Lindsay Davenport - Keys's trainer - in 2006.
"It's always hard to play someone from your country and such a good friend, but I'm happy I played my tennis," Stephens stated.
"This is one of my favourite tournaments and I'm looking forward to Saturday. Merci Paris, je t'aime."
After a timid start, Stephens found her rhythm and took control of the opening set by means of breaking within the 3rd recreation with a forehand winner down the road.
But Keys, who made 23 unforced mistakes within the first set, hit back hard and set up a destroy level at 3-2, only for Stephens to reserve it with a service return winner.
Stephens persevered to dominate and broke within the first and 7th games of the second set to put herself ready to serve for the match.
Keys in brief rallied to pull one destroy back, however Stephens didn't waste her 2nd opportunity, sealing victory on her first match level with a wonderful backhand winner down the road.
READ ALSO: Halep stops Muguruza to achieve 3rd French open final
In the primary all-American Roland Garros semi-final since 2002, the 10th-seeded Stephens stayed composed all over as Keys, who has now not gained a set towards her in three meetings, peppered the court docket with unforced mistakes.
Stephens, who had by no means long gone past the fourth spherical in Paris, will take on two times French Open runner-up and international primary Simona Halep of Romania in Saturday's final.
Regardless of the result, the 25-year-old Stephens will change into the primary American to damage into the highest five within the WTA ratings since Lindsay Davenport - Keys's trainer - in 2006.
"It's always hard to play someone from your country and such a good friend, but I'm happy I played my tennis," Stephens stated.
"This is one of my favourite tournaments and I'm looking forward to Saturday. Merci Paris, je t'aime."
After a timid start, Stephens found her rhythm and took control of the opening set by means of breaking within the 3rd recreation with a forehand winner down the road.
But Keys, who made 23 unforced mistakes within the first set, hit back hard and set up a destroy level at 3-2, only for Stephens to reserve it with a service return winner.
Stephens persevered to dominate and broke within the first and 7th games of the second set to put herself ready to serve for the match.
Keys in brief rallied to pull one destroy back, however Stephens didn't waste her 2nd opportunity, sealing victory on her first match level with a wonderful backhand winner down the road.
Stephens routs Keys, sets up French Open final with Halep
![Stephens routs Keys, sets up French Open final with Halep]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
June 08, 2018
Rating:
