Sloane Stephens crushes Angelique Kerber to reach Miami Open semi-finals
US Open champion to meet former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka for a place in the showpiece encounter in Florida
Wednesday 28 March 2018 12:06, UK
Sloane Stephens needed just over an hour to cruise past Angelique Kerber 6-1 6-2 to reach the Miami Open semi-finals for the first time on Tuesday.
Victory was Stephens' second straight triumph over a former world No 1 after she defeated third-seeded Garbine Muguruza to reach the quarter-finals on Monday.
The result also means the reigning US Open champion will finally be named in the world's top 10 when the WTA release their rankings next week.
"I am so tired of hearing that I am number 11 in the world," said Stephens, who will next face three-time Miami champion Victoria Azarenka for a place in Saturday's final.
"It's very exciting to get there, something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting into the top 10 is pretty special and something I have worked on for a long time."
Kerber admitted coming through a grueling three-set win over qualifier Yafan Wang the day before had left her flat.
"I was really feeling a little bit tired today," Kerber said. "It was windy, it was tricky, but I've played so many matches in the last three months that I was feeling it a little bit in my body."
Azarenka extended her Miami streak to 11 victories in a row - dating back to her 2016 title run - with a 7-5 6-3 success against fellow former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova.
"It wasn't easy. Karolina is a very good player," Azarenka, who will return inside the world's top 100.
"I felt like I had a very good lead and I let it go - she really stepped it up so I had to fight back."
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