Kenin reaches the final!
Sofia Kenin wins the match 6-4 7-5!
All credit to the American as she won the big points and games well. She repeatedly took the deuce and ad points and that was the margin of victory. She's 16-1 in majors this year and will fancy her chances despite being a heavy underdog in Saturday's final.
It's always good to see Kvitova in the later rounds of majors and she'll continue to be a threat, but too many errors at the wrong times sealed her fate against a steady and consistent player such as Kenin.
That's all for now. The women's final is set. This is John Lupo saying to join me for tomorrow's men's semifinals as Diego Schwartzman faces Rafael Nadal and Noval Djokovic meets Stefanos Tsitsipas. Take care and goodnight, everyone.
Kvitova forcing Kenin to serve it out
*Kenin 6-4 5-4 Kvitova
The seventh seed rallied from 15-30 down there and seals it a forehand winner. Kenin to serve for the final.
Kenin a game from the final!
Kenin 6-4 5-3 *Kvitova
An ace on game point punctuates another hold and elicits another "c'mon" from the Australian Open champion.
Kvitova hanging in there
*Kvitova 6-4 4-3 Kenin
A love hold for the Czech, but can she make an impression on the Kenin serve now?
Kenin on track to reach final
Kenin 6-4 4-2 *Kvitova
Four more break points saved by the fourth seed and this time she uses her backhand to get the job done.
Kenin breaks!
*Kenin 6-4 3-2 Kvitova
Some excellent angles by Kenin there as she pummels some forehands and takes command of this semifinal.
Kenin escapes game
Kenin 6-4 2-2 *Kvitova
That was a big hold as Kenin faced a break point, but eventually got out of trouble thanks to Kvitova's errors.
One-two punch for Kvitova
*Kenin 6-4 1-2 Kvitova
Big serving, big forehand. That's how Kvitova wants to play and it gets her through the game.
Kenin responds
Kenin 6-4 1-1 *Kvitova
The American answers. She's won 79% of her first serve points.
Kvitova starts well in the second set
*Kenin 6-4 0-1 Kvitova
Nice, easy hold for Kvitova to begin the second set.
Kenin wins the first set!
Sofia Kenin takes the first set 6-4!
Some difficulty for the American as she falls behind 0-30, but an audacious drop shot gets her back in the game and eventually an unreturnable serve gives her the lead.
Kvitova still in the set
*Kenin 5-4 Kvitova
Big serving from the Czech to force Kenin to serve out the set.
Kenin a game away
Kenin 5-3 *Kvitova
The American answers with a pair of aces to move within a game of the set.
Two-time Wimbledon champion putting the pressure on
*Kenin 4-3 Kvitova
Back-to-back aces from 30-30 pull Kvitova to the verge of levelling the set.
Kvitova moves closer
*Kenin 4-2 Kvitova
That's more like it as Kvitova uses her power to force Kenin back and claw a break back.
Kenin in command!
*Kenin 4-1 Kvitova
It's all going wrong for Petra right now and a backhand error gives Kenin a double-break edge.
Kenin consolidates her advantage
Kenin 3-1 *Kvitova
Some snappy serving and an excellent forehand gives the Australian Open champion a third successive game.
Kenin breaks!
*Kenin 2-1 Kvitova
Kenin shows her variety by extracting errors from the Czech with a myriad of shots to break.
Kenin responds
Kenin 1-1 *Kvitova
The American lands all six of her first serves in and matches Kvitova with an easy hold.
Kvitova with a quick hold
*Kenin 0-1 Kvitova
A simple love hold gets the Czech off to the perfect start.
Head-to-head
This is the third career meeting between Kenin and Kvitova with the seventh seed holding a 2-0 edge, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in Miami two years ago and 6-1, 6-4 in Madrid last year.
Kvitova's road to the semifinals
Quietly, the Czech has gone about her business, not dropping a set en route to the last four. She defeated Oceane Dodin 6-3, 7-5 in the first round, Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in the second round, Leylah Fernandez 7-5, 6-3 in the third round, Shuai Zhang 6-2, 6-4 in the fourth round and Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
Kenin's road to the semifinals
It hasn't been the easiest path to the last four for the reigning Australian Open champion. She's been taken to three sets in four of her five matches, including in the first round against Liudmila Samsonova (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), the second round against Ana Bogdan (3-6, 6-3, 6-2), fourth round against home hope Fiona Ferro (2-6, 6-2, 6-1) and the quarterfinals against countrywoman Danielle Collins (6-4, 4-6, 6-0). Only a third round victory over Irina Bara came easy with Kenin prevailing 6-2, 6-0.
Welcome, everyone!
Hello and welcome to VAVEL's coverage of the second women's semifinal at the French Open between fourth seed Sofia Kenin and seventh seed Petra Kvitova. My name is John Lupo and i'll be with you all championship weekend as we crown champions in Paris.