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 6-4 Stephens
And she's done it! Konta is through to the last four of the French Open - the first British woman since 1983 to do so. A wide return from Stephens was the point that settled it.
Konta 6-1 6-4 Stephens
What a performance from Konta, who wrapped up victory in 71 minutes. I've no hesitance in saying that was one of the best-ever displays I've seen from the Briton. Everything about her game today was on point: her service, her baseline strokes, her range of shots and the tactical execution. Konta has previously been accused of being too predictable and too bland in her gameplay - but there was none of that today. She's taken immense strides forward this tournament and if she can maintain this level, there's no reason why she can't go all the way.
Johanna Konta speaks!
"To play on this new Chatrier, to be out here and play one of the best players in the world and play at the level I did, I am really proud of myself. I am so pleased to have gone through.
"Definitely dealing with the conditions - it's super windy - and against an opponent like Sloane, who can at any moment run away with a match, I had to be prepared.
"I was pleased to keep her on the back foot and control points. I accepted playing the game and enjoyed that."
Due to face either the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova or Croatia’s Petra Martic in the last four, Konta now has an outstanding chance of becoming the first British woman to play in the final since Sue Barker won the title in 1976. Not many of us predicted this at the start of the tournament. What a turnaround it's been for Konta.
Konta has now reached the semi-finals at three of the four major tournaments, but has yet to reach a final. Could this year be different?
As for Stephens, there wasn't much more she could do today. The American was completely overwhelmed by her opponent, and struggled in particular to adapt to the variety of Konta's game play. It wasn't so much a case of her own shortcomings but more the Briton's brilliance.
Looking back, the first game of the first set proved pivotal. It took Konta nine minutes to hold serve as she struggled to find her rhythm. It could have been a very different game indeed had she been broken. But after eventually holding off her rival, she never looked back. Onto the last four we go.
That's all from us, folks. We'll see you on Thursday for the semi-finals!
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