Sloane Stephens storms into Miami Open final with comeback victory against Victoria Azarenka
American to meet either fellow Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko in Saturday's final
Friday 30 March 2018 10:32, UK
Sloane Stephens recorded an impressive comeback victory over three-time champion Victoria Azarenka to storm into the Miami Open final against Jelena Ostapenko.
The US Open champion moved into the world's top 10 with her win over Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals and repeated the feat of beating a former world No 1 with a 3-6 6-2 6-1 success at her hometown tournament.
Stephens endured a torrid five-month losing streak following her shock triumph at Flushing Meadows last year, but since she snapped the run in Acapulco last month she has rediscovered her best tennis.
"This is so cool! I've been playing tennis in Key Biscayne since I was 11 years old," Stephens said in her on-court interview.
"For me this is so incredible to have friends and family here. Just have to take advantage of the last year here!"
Azarenka had won her prior 11 matches in Florida but was unable to build on the strong record despite a fast start which saw her secure the first set thanks in part to four breaks of Stephens' serve.
Stephens was broken early in the second but recovered to win six straight games to force a decider, before a ruthless all-court display saw her run away against the Belarussian.
The American will next meet French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko after the Latvian beat qualifier Danielle Collins 7-6 (7-1) 6-3.
Collins had already seen off Venus Williams in the quarter-finals but met her match against Ostapenko, who was ruthless in the first set tie-break breaking her four times as she took the first set.
The second was less of a dogfight - the world No 5 breaking Collins in the opening game and closing out the set on the first match point.
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