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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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Konta 6-1 3-1 Stephens*
That didn't take long. The Briton goes through the motions to take the next three points. That's back-to-back love service games for Konta.
*Konta 6-1 3-2 Stephens
Easiest service game of the match so far for Stephens. She holds to love.
Konta 6-1 4-2 Stephens*
Straight out of the blocks from Konta. After an enforced Stephens error, the Briton smashes over a volley from the net. She follows this up with a fierce forehand shot that finds the space to her opponent's left. She's looking far less predictable than she did last season. There's little that Stephens can do in the face of such power and assurance. Konta comfortably takes the last point to hold.
*Konta 6-1 4-3 Stephens
Still, the American is holding on and quickly moves to 30-0. She misreads a Konta backhand on the next point, though, which lands on the line as opposed to beyond it. But it's not to matter. Stephens sees out the game, with the Briton knocking a backhand into the net from her baseline.
*Konta 6-1 4-3 Stephens
Sublime stuff from Konta on this first point. She sends her opponent scrambling to her left with a wonderful backhand stroke which, to Stephens' credit, is safely returned. But the Briton is poised and ready to strike. She knocks back a curling forehand from the baseline that seems to drift from right to left, landing just of reach of the American. 15-0.
Konta 6-1 5-3 Stephens*
And it keeps on coming! She takes the game with a perfectly-weighted drop shot that Stephens was helpless to reach. This is another level from Konta.
Konta 6-1 5-3 Stephens*
The American is hanging on here. She's drawn into the net and meets a stinging forehand stroke with a firm volley that lands beyond Konta's reach. 30-0.
But the Briton hits back straight on Stephens' serve with a forehand winner. 30-15. Konta is looking for the break.
*Konta 6-1 5-4 Stephens
The Briton can't find the break. At 40-30, she sends a forehand return long. Konta to serve for the match.
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