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Stephens is currently ranked seventh in the world. SIPA USA/PA Images

Sloane Stephens exits French Open as magnificent Konta books first semi-final place

Stephens’ hopes of going one better than last year in Paris were ended by an inspired Johanna Konta.

JOHANNA KONTA STEAMROLLED a lacklustre Sloane Stephens to storm into her first French Open semi-final in a major upset on Tuesday.

Konta had never won a main-draw match at Roland Garros before last week, but she now stands two victories away from a maiden grand slam title after beating last year’s runner-up 6-1 6-4.

Stephens lost her two previous meetings with Konta this year — one of which came in Rome last month — and the 26th seed shattered the 2017 US Open champion’s hopes of winning a second grand slam.

Konta was relentless on Court Philippe-Chatrier and will face Marketa Vondrousova or Petra Martic after becoming the first British women since Jo Durie in 1983 to reach the last four in Paris.

An inspired Konta produced an exhibition of power and precision, saving the only break point she faced and losing just one point behind her serve in the second set as she blew the startled seventh seed away.

Konta’s serve got her out of trouble in the first game after Stephens forced a break point and she went from strength to strength after starting with a battling hold.

The 2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist swarmed all over the American, breaking for a 3-1 lead when Stephens paid the price for an errant backhand error.

Konta consolidated and pounced on timid Stephens serves by fizzing a couple of blistering returns beyond the world number seven before a rasping forehand winner put her 5-1 up.

The hesitant Stephens looked a totally different player to the one that saw off Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round and she was broken in the first game of the second set after Konta wrapped up the first in 32 minutes. 

A sprightly Konta did not give Stephens a look-in as she marched towards the last eight, racing through her service games in a flash en route to a third major semi-final.

Stephens, who lacked power and mobility, looked like she did not know what had hit her as she charged off court after drilling a backhand just wide to crash out in an hour and 11 minutes.

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 1:54 PM

    I like GAA too! If only I cold find a way to wriggle out of my PAYE obligations, I could then throw out a bit of the cash I’d save to my pet sport and everyone would say I’m a great fella.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Dec 15th 2023, 1:55 PM

    @Hibernicus: There’s always one who has nothing good to say.

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 2:59 PM

    @Richard Ford: You misunderstood, I am inspired & keen to emulate the great man!

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    Mute Rocky R
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:36 PM

    @Hibernicus: the man owns and runs a Swiss based company where he is clearly doing pretty well. This is also where he pays tax. I appreciate that might be a difficult concept to wrap your head around when you’ve likely spent your life in the one village.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:51 PM

    @Hibernicus: . Well then please do your very best to do so. All donations gratefully accepted Hibernicus.

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    Mute Paul Odeier
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    Dec 15th 2023, 3:59 PM

    @Hibernicus: typical

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    Mute Hibernicus
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    Dec 15th 2023, 5:53 PM

    @Paul Odeier: succinct!

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    Mute David o'shanahan
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    Dec 16th 2023, 8:49 PM

    @Hibernicus:you come across as a great fella.revenue are crying out for great fellas

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    Mute Mike Kennedy
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:29 PM

    As I said to Shane below, we are a tax haven. Tax avoidance is the way of the world. We gratefully accept multiple billions from corporations who base their headquarters here to avoid tax. We can’t have it both ways. People be careful not to fall off their high horses.

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    Mute Shane Griffin
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    Dec 15th 2023, 2:59 PM

    Fantastic balanced journalism from the headline down, exactly why I decided to pay for a subscription.

    I look forward to the day when I can stop paying tax like all the smart people and donate an iPad to the club raffle for a gushing write-up in the local paper.

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    Mute David Staed
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:23 PM

    @Shane Griffin: When are you expecting to become one of the smart people?

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    Mute Mike Kennedy
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    Dec 15th 2023, 4:25 PM

    @Shane Griffin: how do you feel about the fact that Ireland is a tax haven? Do you think we should send back the multiple billions we receive from tax dodging corporations every year???

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