French Open 2019: Johanna Konta beats Sloane Stephens to reach semi-finals at Roland Garros

Follow live updates as Jo Konta tries to continue her stunning run at Roland Garros against the talented American, Sloane Stephens

Johanna Konta has beaten Sloane Stephens to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.

Konta becomes the first British woman to reach the last four at Roland Garros for 35 years, after a hugely impressive 6-1 6-4 win over the American.

She will now face either Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova or Petra Martic of Croatia in the last four.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load

Key Points

• Briton beats American 6-1 6-4
• Konta becomes first British woman since 1983 to reach last four of French Open
• She will face either Marketa Vondrousova or Petra Martic in the semi-finals

[4 June 2019 13:16 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 0-0 Stephens*

We're still on the first game here as Konta rushes to her right to meet a Stephens forehand only to send her return way beyond the white chalk. Back to deuce.

[4 June 2019 13:18 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 0-0 Stephens*

Back and forth we go between deuce and advantage, with Konta struggling to see out this game. She fires down another ace and now has yet another opportunity to seal the game.

[4 June 2019 13:18 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 1-0 Stephens*

There we go. At last. A wild forehand return from Stephens bounces beyond the baseline. Konta holds serve.

[4 June 2019 13:21 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 1-0 Stephens*

Stephens quickly rushes to 40-15. The American is proving far more consistent with her serving than Konta. Could this prove to be the difference this afternoon?

[4 June 2019 13:22 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 1-1 Stephens

Stephens holds service. At 40-30, she fires one down far out to Konta's left, leaving the Briton scrambling to return. But the ball get as far as the net. On we go!

[4 June 2019 13:25 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 2-1 Stephens* (* denotes next server)

Much better from the Briton. Utilising her service to good effect, and pushing Stephens back with her powerful baseline strokes, Konta had the better of her opponent in that game as she knocked her back and forth across the court. We remain on serve.

[4 June 2019 13:28 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 2-1 Stephens*

After a brief rally, Konta leaves her opponent stuck to the spot with a thumping, low fizzing forehand that whizzed past the American's left-hand side. Stephens takes the next point but loses her concentration on the next, slicing a simple forehand into the crowd. It's a similar story on the next as she fires into the net from her baseline. Break point to Konta.

[4 June 2019 13:30 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 3-1 Stephens

Stephens rallies to take the game to 30-40 but overhits on the next point - and that's break! That'll be a massive early boast for Konta who is settling into this match nicely.

[4 June 2019 13:31 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 3-1 Stephens

The American hits back hard, claiming the opening two points to take the game to 30-0. She notably impressed with a reaching forehand shot that flew from one corner of the court to the other. Konta flapped at it in vain but was helpless to make the return.

[4 June 2019 13:33 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 3-1 Stephens

Konta holds her nerve and takes the game to 40-30, but she can't quite see it out. Not yet at least. A wild backhand falls wide of the tramlines. Deuce.