Stephens d Keys in all US semi

Sloane Stephens (10) broke Madison Keys (13) early and consolidated for a 3-1 lead.

Keys served solidly to stay close at 2-3.

A winning backhand from Stephens for 30-0 was tempered by a double fault.  A fine return by Keys and 30-30.  Break point after a forced error from the tenth seed.  Saved with a great serve.  A brilliant forehand return winner and break point once more.  Saved.  Service held for 4-2.

Ace from Keys and forehand winner from Stephens 30-15.  Game point with good wide serve.  Game to Keys 3-4.

Backhand winner down the line from Keys 15-30.  A trio of errors from the Keys racquet and game to Stephens 5-3

Keys held easily and at 5-4 Stephens would serve for the set.

A forced error and 15-0.  A forehand unforced error wide by Keys followed by a return mistake and three set points.

The first one was enough and Stephens led 6-4

Two break points in the opening Keys service game of set two.  Both saved.  A forcing forehand gave a game point to Keys.  Double fault and deuce.  Break point saved.  A third chance for Stephens and Keys puts a volley into the net.  1-0 Stephens with the break.

A forehand from Keys forced Stephens into error 15-15.  Stephens put a forehand away and had two game points.  2-0.

Keys won the first two points with a service winner and forehand winner.

A backhand winner and two game points. Another one for the game.  2-1 Stephens.

3-1 for the tenth seed, only losing the single point in this game.  Next, up three game points, Keys wasted one but held on the second, and trailed 2-3.

Keys not putting much pressure on the Stephens serve and 4-2 came easily.

A forehand pass from Stephens and 0-15.  A forehand winner in reply from Keys.  A netted backhand and 15-30.  Stephens netted a forehand and 30-30.  Break point - saved.  Double fault and another break point.

Shot long and Stephens achieved a second break, led 5-2, and would serve for a place in the final.

A backhand winner from Keys and 15-30.  30-30 with another Keys error.  Break point following a rare Stephens mistake.  The break came and Keys trailed 3-5.

A Stephens backhand down the line made it 15-15, but Keys then passed her with a wicked off forehand.  Two game points - a forehand pass was enough and Stephens would try again to serve it out at 5-4.

15-0 after a Keys error.  A repeat and 30-0.  Two match points after an exchange of mistakes.  A backhand winner down the line won the match for Sloane Stephens 6-4 6-4.

The final is now set with Sloane Stephens playing Simona Halep.

Stephens attempting to win her second major from two finals and Halep trying for her first from four finals, two here in Paris.

Halep leads the head to head battle 5-2, Stephens winning those two way back in 2013.  The two most recent clashes were in 2017 in Cincinnati and Washington, both straight sets wins for Halep.