Halep sets up Pliskova clash

PARIS, Agencies: Former French Open runner-up Simona Halep staged a remarkable fightback and saved a match point to reached the semi-finals with a 3-6, 7-6 , (8-6) 6-0 win over Elina Svitolina on Wednesday.

Romanian third seed Halep trailed by a set and 1-5 against the fifth seed but somehow dug herself out of a hole before storming to victory.

Ukrainian Svitolina saved four set points at 5-6 in the second and then had a match point in the tiebreak which Halep saved with a brave backhand winner that kissed the sideline.

Halep clinched the second set with a forehand winner and swept through the decider as Svitolina's spirit sagged, sealing victory with an ace.

Halep will play second-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals, while in the other half of the draw Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko will take on Swiss Timea Bacsinszky.

All four players are seeking a first Grand Slam title.

Czech second seed Pliskova reached the French Open semifinals for the first time with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over home hope Caroline Garcia.

The Czech edged a marathon 77-minute first set against 28th seed Garcia in a tie-break, having failed to convert an earlier set point at 5-3.

The 25-year-old then broke Garcia as the Frenchwoman served to stay in the match to clinch just her second semifinal appearance at a Grand Slam.

"It was very tough. She played very well, we were both serving well. She played a great tournament, even today, it was 50-50, it came down to about two points I’m really glad I made it," said Pliskova.

She entered this year's Roland Garros with just two wins in five previous visits.  

"I am very happy. Before the tournament I wasn’t sure if I could play good tennis on clay." 

Pliskova, 25, will replace Angelique Kerber as the new world number one if she makes the final in Paris.