Maria Sakkari beat defending champion Paula Badosa to achieve the most important closing of her profession at Indian Wells.
Greece’s Sakkari, who had beforehand received simply two of her previous 14 semi-finals, broke down in tears after overcoming the Spaniard 6-2 4-6 6-1.
She’s going to face Iga Swiatek on Sunday, with the winner rising to quantity two on the planet rankings.
Poland’s Swiatek beat Romanian Simona Halep 7-6 (7-6) 6-4 to register her tenth consecutive victory.
Sakkari hit 28 winners through the match in opposition to Badosa.
She has received one title on the WTA Tour – on the Morocco Open in 2019 – however discovered extra consistency final yr, reaching the French Open and US Open semi-finals.
“I am turning 27 this yr, which isn’t previous, however not younger as effectively, and I am simply extra mature and issues change in that age,” Sakkari mentioned.
“Having a crew just like the one I’ve that consistently repeat that they consider in you, belief you and so they’re simply very proud it doesn’t matter what, it makes issues lots simpler.”
Sakkari leads the head-to-head with Swiatek 3-1, however Swiatek received their most up-to-date assembly at February’s Qatar Open.
“I do know Iga rather well and he or she’s an unbelievable participant,” Sakkari added.
“I respect her lots and I like her recreation. It is simply going to be an unbelievable battle for each of us.”
Former French Open champion Swiatek fought again from a break down in each units in opposition to Halep to achieve the ultimate.
She saved two set factors within the tie-breaker earlier than finally clinching the opener, and overturned a 4-2 deficit within the second.
Swiatek reached the Australian Open semi-finals in the beginning of the yr earlier than lifting the title in Doha final month.
“I really feel like I am not the underdog any extra and I need to present one thing else and present what I realized,” Swiatek mentioned.
“I all the time really feel like I’ve nothing to lose, however this time it was a little bit bit totally different.”
Within the males’s draw, American Taylor Fritz arrange a semi-final assembly with seventh seed Andrey Rublev.
Fritz beat Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-1 earlier than Russia’s Rublev powered previous Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 6-2.
Rafael Nadal will meet rising Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz within the different semi-final, with dwell commentary on BBC Radio 5 Dwell and the BBC Sport web site (from 22:00 GMT).
