Simona,Jelena to vie for first title

Simona Halep reached her second French Open final on Thursday with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Karolina Pliskova, taking her to within touching distance of a first Grand Slam title and the world number one spot.

Romanian third seed Halep, the runner-up to Maria Sharapova in 2014, will face unseeded Latvian 20-year-old Jelena Ostapenko, who downed Timea Bacsinszky 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3, in Saturday's final.

The 2017 champion will be a first-time major winner while victory will also crown Halep as the new world number one, replacing Angelique Kerber.

"It's an amazing feeling right now," said Halep after her fifth win in six meetings against Pliskova, the world number three. "It was extremely tough today as Karolina is a very tough opponent.

"To be in the final again is great. I hope to win this time. But I am facing a young opponent, it will be a big challenge."

Pliskova ended the tie with 45 winners and a staggering 55 unforced errors. In contrast, Halep registered 14 in both columns.  Halep settled faster than her opponent. The 25-year-old broke for 2-1 and never looked back.

Pliskova saved three set points but was powerless on the fourth as Halep wrapped up the opener after 45 minutes.

Halep only hit eight winners but Pliskova's 24 unforced errors proved key to the outcome. However, Pliskova rallied, breaking for a 4-2 lead in the second and levelling the contest at a set apiece.

It was an impressive recovery in stifling heat, but wasn't enough to encourage the large number of fans who had abandoned their seats to return.

Halep carved out a break for 3-1 in the decider, an inch-perfect pass proving fair reward for her stalwart defence. She was hauled back in the seventh game but Pliskova handed it back, allowing Halep to serve for the match.

Halep sealed the deal when Pliskova went long off a service return.