Morocco Open: Stephens scrapes into semi-finals

Second seed Sloane Stephens reached the semi-finals of the Morocco Open by edging out Peyton Stearns 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (6) at Union Sportive des Cheminots du Maroc in Rabat on Thursday evening.

Stephens, ranked No 35, will face Italian Lucia Bronzetti next.

Stephens beat Russian wildcard Vera Zvonareva (7-5, 6-4) and Hungarian Timea Babos (6-3, 6-1) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Stearns, ranked No 69, won against Hungarian Panna Udvardy (6-1, 6-1) and Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 5 seed (6-3, 2-6, 6-2).

Rabat WTA 250, other last eight results (Union Sportive des Cheminots du Maroc, clay, USD 259.303, most recent results first):

• Lucia Bronzetti beat Alycia Parks (4): 6-2, 6-0
• Julia Riera beat Yulia Putintseva (6): 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
• Julia Grabher beat Martina Trevisan (1): 6-3 ret.