Miami final: Stephens to take on Ostapenko

Miami, March 30 

The Miami Open women's final will pit two reigning Grand Slam champions after Sloane Stephens and Jelena Ostapenko won their respective semifinals in Florida on Thursday. US Open champion Stephens ended former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka's hopes of a fairytale comeback by beating her 3-6 6-2 6-1 in an afternoon encounter.

French Open champion Ostapenko beat unseeded American Danielle Collins in the nightcap, staving off a set point en route to a 7-6(1) 6-3 triumph. American 13th seed Stephens has five career titles, while sixth seed Ostapenko has two heading into Saturday's final. "I'm feeling amazing now," said Latvian Ostapenko, who wore down Collins with a series of powerful groundstrokes. She hit 33 winners and ended the match in style with a running forehand winner down the line.

Three-times champion Azarenka, playing as a wildcard in her second event after an eight-month absence because of a custody dispute involving her son, showed glimpses of the form that took her to the top of the rankings but ultimately ran out of gas. — Reuters 

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