World number one Simona Halep will have another opportunity to claim her first Grand Slam title after beating Spain's Garbine Muguruza 6-1 6-4 in their French Open semi-final on Thursday.
The Romanian broke Muguruza's serve six times in a ruthless display to set up Saturday's final against U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens.
Halep has suffered defeat in her three previous Grand Slam final appearances, including two in Paris in 2014 and 2017.
"I'm happy to play the final again at my favourite grand slam," Halep said courtside. "I'll try my best and hopefully do better than last year."
Stephens maintained her spotless record against fellow American Madison Keys with a 6-4 6-4 win in the day's other semi-final clash.
Men's defending champion Rafa Nadal dropped his first set at Roland Garros since 2015 but recovered well to beat Argentine Diego Schwartzman 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 in a rain-delayed quarter-final clash.
The Spaniard, bidding for an 11th title at Roland Garros, will meet fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in Friday's semi-final after the Argentine overcame Marin Cilic 7-6(5) 5-7 6-3 7-5.
Taiwan's Latisha Chan and Croatian Ivan Dodig beat Australian Open winners Gabriela Dabrowski and Mate Pavic 6-1 6-7(5) 10-8 to win the mixed doubles title.
FRENCH PAIR THROUGH TO MEN'S DOUBLES FINAL
French duo Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut advanced to the men's doubles final, beating Croatian Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya of Austria 6-3 6-4.
STEPHENS RACES INTO FINAL
U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens cruised past fellow American Madison Keys 6-4 6-4 to reach her first French Open final.
"It's always hard to play someone from your own country and such a good friend, so I'm pleased to get through that," Stephens said.
"I think that I have done really well, but I'd like to keep going."@SloaneStephens showed no signs of a slowdown in SF win over Madison Keys. Recap & Highlights: https://t.co/5BK6Wp0EXp #RG18 pic.twitter.com/IAWfzIBPX1
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 8, 2018
"It's another great opportunity (in the final) on Saturday and I'm really looking forward to it."
Stephens, seeded 10th, will face world number one Simona Halep for the Suzanne Lenglen trophy.
IMPRESSIVE HALEP REACHES ANOTHER FRENCH OPEN FINAL
World number one Simona Halep, chasing her first Grand Slam title, progressed to her third final in Paris with a 6-1 6-4 victory over third-seeded Garbine Muguruza.
"I'm really, really happy that I won this match," said Halep, who lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the final last year.
"It was really important for my mind to know I could win against a great opponent.
"It's a pleasure to play here. I'm happy to play the final again at my favourite grand slam. I'll try my best and hopefully do better than last year."
DEL POTRO BEATS CILIC TO SET UP NADAL CLASH
Big-hitting Argentine Juan Martin del Potro has reached his first French Open semi-finals in nine years, beating Croatia's Marin Cilic 7-6(5) 5-7 6-3 7-5 in a rain-delayed contest.
Fifth seed Del Potro will next face 10-time champion Rafa Nadal for a place in the final.
"It's tough to speak now," an emotional Del Potro said courtside. "It has been a long time without a good feeling in my body," he said in reference to a series of injuries he has suffered.
"I have had three surgeries on my left wrist and I was close to quitting. I don't have any words.
"It's so good for my team and my family. It was very important to have the support of my family and friends and the love of you guys, you make me so happy. I am so proud to be playing tennis. I feel at home here."
NADAL MARCHES INTO SEMIS
Top seed Rafa Nadal rediscovered his touch in Paris sunshine to put away Argentine Diego Schwartzman 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
The Spaniard, chasing his 11th French Open title, secured his sixth consecutive win over Schwartzman after dropping the opening set in damp conditions on Wednesday.
Watch the highlights of the great match between Rafael Nadal and Diego Schwartzman. The Spanish won in four sets 4/6 6/3 6/2 6/2.
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2018
More videos : https://t.co/L0wmcUhyym#RG18 pic.twitter.com/kkOpdZQ5XN
It will be Nadal's 27th Grand Slam semi-final appearance as he claims sole ownership of fifth place on the list for most final-four appearances at majors in the Open Era, ahead of American Andre Agassi.
"Diego's a good friend, a really good player," Nadal said. "It wasn't easy.
"I played at a better level after the rain, I'm happy to reach another semi-final. It's a great emotion to play here. I’ve got to play again tomorrow. It'll be difficult whoever I play."
