Stephens and Ostapenko into Miami final

Women’s Semi Final Day in Miami also included the last two men’s quarter finals, so it promised to be a big day and night.

And so the Miami Open on Day Ten delivered.

Vika Azarenka, the unseeded wildcard, but previous multiple champion here, had clearly made a statement that motherhood and tennis were compatible for her.

She took it further by claiming the first set off Sloane Stephens (13) to the horror of the Florida crowd.  

Vika won an unprecedented 71% of points when the American first serve found its mark, and was able to break four times in the opener.

Stephens herself cracked the Belarusian delivery twice, but Azarenka won the initial battle 6-3.

Both women were hitting furiously cross court off both wings, yet it was Vika coming up with the goods and she seemed on course for a Finals berth at 2-0 in set two.  Even down three break points in the third game didn’t faze her as she found a way back to game point.

However, Sloane’s altruism needs to be applauded - thinking of how Vika needed to be with her baby, she reversed the match trend, winning this game, and 12 of the last 13.

The 3-6 6-2 6-1 victory secured Sloane a spot in the Miami Open final and nailed down the number nine world ranking - a career high.

Vika, meanwhile, is back in the world 100 and will continue a rapid rise depending on her scheduling choices.

The second semi final pitted the highest seed left - Jelena Ostapenko (6) - against American qualifier Danielle Collins.

Collins had knocked off Venus Williams en route to the semi, while Ostapenko has just hammered a series of opponents to demonstrate a level of high class consistency not really seen since her shock Roland Garros triumph in 2017.

Despite winning only 45% of points on her first serve in the opening set, Collins managed to compete on equal terms with Ostapenko, in fact creating 7 break opportunities compared with 3.

Both players converted twice, and a tie break ensued.  Ostapenko raced away here, and took the lead 7-6(1).

Now in command, Jelena served with extra confidence, not facing a break point in set two, and ultimately winning with apparent ease 7-6(1) 6-3.  A title win would lift Ostapenko to a career high of four in the world

Danielle has leapt 40 spots to a career high of 53.

Pablo Carreno Busta (16) fought off Kevin Anderson (6) and a match point to win 6-4 5-7 7-6(6).

He will play Sascha Zverev in a semi final 

Sascha Zverev (4) defeated Borna Coric (29) 6-4 6-4

Day Eleven will feature the Men’s Semis:

Juan Martin del Potro (5) v John Isner (14)

Sascha Zverev (4) v Pablo Carreno Busta (16)

and the Women’s Doubles Semis:

Elise Mertens / Demi Schuurs v Barbora Krejcikova / Katerina Siniakova (6)

Ekaterina Makarova / Elena Vesnina (1) v Ash Barty / CoCo Vandeweghe