WTA Finals: Sloane Stephens v Karolina Pliskova, semi-final – live! | Sport

Second set: Stephens * 0-2, 0-6 Pliskova (* denotes server)

New balls but same old from Stephens. She took a 30-0 lead, albeit via two unforced errors from Pliskova. The Czech responded with a nice volley at the net goal Stephens undid one excellent groundstroke with two poor backhands, both looping past the line. At deuce, plikova a break, way, way too long to give Pliskova a break. Stephens defended with a clever angled first serve But then there was Pliskova, again forcing her backwards and finishing the job at the net. She then landed a stunning backhand to break again. Any danger of a match here?

Second set: Stephens 0-1, 0-6 Pliskova * (* denotes server)

Stephens looked in danger of meltdown territory, exasperated with the first point goal fought back with her best shot of the match Pliskova with no chance. The Czech was uncharacteristically loose with a front-foot forehand on the net and all of a sudden Stephens had a break point. But the net has not been her friend so far, and their rocky relationship continues to take it to deuce. Pliskova was then back to the net for some simple serve and volley tennis to hold serve. A magnificent seven in a row.

Much better than Stephens at the start of the game, this time taking the rally to her opponent. But when it looks to some extent, Pliskova just whipped a forehand winner down the line with Stephens only able to watch it fly by. Thereon, the American was up against it. The Pliskova has set point. Symbolically and fittingly, the Czech sealed with two angled groundstrokes and two big smashes. A 1-2 punch Stephens just can not live with at the moment.

First set: Stephens 0-5 Pliskova * (* denotes server)

These Pliskova groundstrokes are really something. So much spin and deadly accurate. Stephens can not get over the ball and dictates any of the rallies, forced to scamper all the way along the baseline and just defend on the move, and often at full stretch. That was all way too comfortable for the Czech.

First set: Stephens * 0-4 Pliskova (* denotes server)

Pliskova breaks again! Stephens had Sly Black out to her husband during the break in play, with her coach seemingly delivering some motivational chat. Stephens and Pliskova looking confident in her play and game plan. The American's infamous static footwork appeared during that game, with a lazy backhand that looped well out. Pliskova then fired a series of baseline forehands, laser-guided into the corners of the court to earn a break point and Stephens pulled a shot for a double break. Worrying signs.

First set: Stephens 0-3 Pliskova * (* denotes server)

That game featured the longest rally of the match so far (sorry was not counting) and despite some nice work from Pliskova, moving Stephens all over the court and drawing a sky high lob, she blasted her smash straight into the net. At 30-30, she then found the net again, this time inexplicably with a regulation forehand giving Stephens a chance to break back. Rather fittingly, she defended that with a smash and then volley on the net (this is not textbook Pliskova stuff, folks). At deuce, both players are guilty of some wayward groundstrokes but the Czech Republic is forced to go to the front of the box, forcing Stephens to stretch and fire back. The PA is now playing an EDM rework of Wonderwall … I do not know what to say.

First set: Stephens * 0-2 Pliskova (* denotes server)

Pliskova breaks! Stephens cruised to 30-0 following some misdirected groundstrokes from Pliskova but the American then found the net with a backhand following a moderate baseline rally. In amongst the people in the crowd with a flash of. Anyway, Stephens was wayward twice again for a break point for Pliskova but some rapid groundstrokes hurried the Czech and she could not take advantage. After a beautiful forehand winner down the line from the American side, it was a very difficult place to take a break. She's attacking both first and second serve here.

First set: Stephens 0-1 Pliskova * (* denotes server)

Bit of a mix from Pliskova there as it went to deuce. She opened the game well, including a lovely winner down the line after exchanging cross-court groundstrokes. Goal was 30-0 down, Stephens moved to the net to force a loose lob from the Czech and smashed her first winner. Pliskova stepped forward to the T, looking for a volley. At 40-30, Pliskova was long from the baseline but got the job done with an accurate backhand and some smart work at the net.

Karolina Pliskova has spoken about her partnership with coach Rennae Stubbs

She's a very positive person so we're having fun. It's more about enjoyment because it's a lot of travel.

She was an amazing double player so would love to see me at the net.

The players are on court with Sloane Stephens winning the toss and electing to receive serve, which is what it also elected to do against Kerber.

As a measure of what Pliskova will have to do to beat Stephens, check out this clip from earlier in the tournament against Kiki Bertens. When the defense is that watertight, it just forces its opponents to attempt high-risk shots and draws unforced errors; see Kerber yesterday who had some sense of a game plan after the opening few games.

A lot of talk around Stephens' coach Kamau Murray who has been in America throughout this tournament due to Bill Clinton visiting his academy in Chicago. As a result, she's had to train Jamaica Davis Cup player Sylvester Black in her corner. Unclear if Murray would fly out of Pliskova at 21 o'clock flight-time would indicate not.

Returning to today's contest, Stephens holds a slim 2-1 advantage over Pliskova in their head-to-head, however the Czech won their most recent encounter 6-2 6-3 on clay at the Madrid Masters.

Stephens is unbeaten in Singapore but Pliskova holds the most match wins on the WTA Tour this year with 49. She has a 3-2 record in semi-finals this year, compared with the American's unblemished 3-0.

When I said, "a bit of an epic" I have been playing it down because it's been playing for me and I'm going to play it for Svitolina tomorrow. She has been speaking before heading for an ice bath …

It was such a tough battle today and I'm very happy I could win in the end. It means a lot to me.

I think physically, in the end, it was just about running and chasing every ball down. I think it was very tough and we were both playing very good tennis. I'm very pleased that I could stay in the match and close it.

(On Stephens and Bertens) It's tough they're both playng great tennis and it's going to be an interesting match and be ready for tomorrow.

Here we are, then … the business end of the tournament, where the best seeds in the world are made in the semi-finals. Elina Svitolina beat Kiki Bertens 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in a bit of an epic a few moments ago, and the Ukrainian will take on either Sloane Stephens or Karolina Pliskova to ensure we'll have a new champion by tomorrow.

Stephens is unbeaten having won all of her matches, including yesterday's straight sets triumph over her bunny, Angelique Kerber, while Pliskova mixed impressive two-set wins over defending field Caroline Wozniacki and fellow Czech Petra Kvitova with a three-set loss to Svitolina .

In truth, Stephens was not really tested against Kerber and got through the game in second or third gear. Pliskova should prove to be one of the most important ones in the world. Stephens' return game, however, can be legendary which makes for a nice clash for styles. Which we all like.

Play gets underway at 12.30pm