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

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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Key Points

• Briton beats American 6-1 6-4
• Konta becomes first British woman since 1983 to reach last four of French Open
• She will face either Marketa Vondrousova or Petra Martic in the semi-finals

[4 June 2019 13:34 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 4-1 Stephens*

Wow. After moving to advantage, Konta whizzes down an absolute rocket that flew straight across Stephens. Ace. The American didn't stand a chance. This is very encouraging stuff from the Briton.

[4 June 2019 13:37 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 4-1 Stephens*

Konta is taking it up a gear here as she dominates from that central position, knocking her opponent back and forth with those sweeping baseline shots of her. She eventually forces the mistake from Stephens, who fires her return wide of the lines.

The Briton then follows this up with two monster backhand winners, one on Stephens' serve. Devastating stuff from Konta. 40-0.

[4 June 2019 13:40 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 5-1 Stephens

Break! She's done it. Again. After the American clawed back two points, Konta whipped out a forehand winner from nowhere that Stephens could only watch fly past her. She's looked really powerful dipping into those groundstrokes before letting loose with a venomous stroke that appears to get quicker on connection with the red stuff. Stephens looks clueless here.

[4 June 2019 13:43 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 6-1 Stephens

The Briton quickly moves to 40-0, rolling out yet another ace in process. She plucks up the courage to move to the next for the next point but Stephens holds her nerve to pick out the back end of the court. Konta fluffs a forehand stroke but an unforced error from Stephens settles this game and set in the Brit's favour.

[4 June 2019 13:45 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 6-1 0-0 Stephens*

The American gets the second set under way.

[4 June 2019 13:49 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 6-1 0-0 Stephens*

Konta had break point at 40-30 but couldn't quite clear the net with one of her sweeping backhands. Deuce. She flings a high-bouncing ball into the crowd on the next point to hand Stephens advantage, but the American returns the favour with an unforced error. Back to 40-40.

[4 June 2019 13:51 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 6-1 1-0 Stephens

Break! On advantage, Konta moved forward from the baseline to intimidate her opponent into submission. Stephens attempted to edge the ball past the Briton - and it looked to be in - but the umpire saw differently and handed the point in Konta's favour. A storming start.

[4 June 2019 13:54 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 6-1 2-0 Stephens*

Konta's serving game is proving too much for Stephens at the moment, who has yet to get a gauge on her opponent's power and variety. The Briton took that game without dropping a point.

[4 June 2019 13:57 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 6-1 2-1 Stephens (* denotes next server)

At 30-0, Stephens sends over a bouncing serve that jumps up perfectly for Konta. The Briton takes her cue and punches back with a powerful forehand that the American can only flap out in vain. Still, Stephens holds on for serve.

[4 June 2019 13:59 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 6-1 2-1Stephens

Konta's forehand has come on leaps and bounds - as highlighted by that last winner. Positioned just beneath the centre T, she directed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with inch-perfect precision. The American didn't stand a chance. 15-0.