Barbora Krejcikova outlasted Maria Sakkari 7-5 4-6 9-7 in a dramatic Roland Garros semi-final.
The world number 33 edged Sakkari out in 3 hours and 18 minutes to reach her first grand slam singles final.
Krejcikova will now play Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final on Saturday.
As expected there were nerves aplenty in the opening set with both players producing lots of errors in their own service games.
Eventually in the fourth game it was Sakkari who stayed the more solid as she produced a hold of serve to take a 3-1 lead.
However in this match there would be a variety of plot twists and Krejcikova raised her level of play with the Greek’s backhand not maintaining the course.
Four games in a row took the Czech Republican to 5-3 as she would serve for the opening set.
But back came the 17th seed as a good return game and confident serving ensured that it was back at 5-5 as this low-quality opening set was reaching its conclusion.
The shifts in momentum was complete when Krejcikova produced a confident service game and applied the pressure on her opponent in the next game.
Sakkari faltered when it mattered most and the world number 33 was one set away from her first singles grand slam final.
However Sakkari was too mentally tough to let her level drop in the second set as she proved why she belonged in the semi-finals.
Grit, determination and world-class defensive skills allowed to her grind more errors out of a static Krejcikova.
Four games in a row from Sakkari saw her establish a 4-0 lead and control of the second set.
Once again, the momentum shifted as Krejcikova showed mental grit of her own to avoid a 5-0 deficit and gain one of the breaks back as she looked to test Sakkari’s inexperience.
After a few nervy shot-making, the Greek used every inch of her strength and muscle to make a backhand cross-court that Krejcikova was unable to volley.
A massive celebration followed and getting the crowd on her side as Sakkari held her nerve to force a deciding set.
Krejcikova proceeded to take a long bathroom break which didn’t help her cause as all the momentum was with Sakkari.
A break in the third game saw the motivated Greek take a 2-1 lead, then consolidate in a tough service game for 3-1.
The world number three managed to keep her nerve and make the match close with the Czech taking the more risks in crucial service points.
After saving match point, Krejcikova then took advantage of some poor decision-making from the Greek and tentative hitting on deuces.
Some great variety in pace saw Krejcikova break back and it was now at 5-5 in the final set.
As the match approached extra innings, it was starting to feel Krejcikova was dictating the match on her terms.
The Czech Republican had three match points in the 14th game but Sakkari had nerves of steel with two cross-court backhands and an ace down the middle saving them. Sakkari would go onto hold 7-7 as she once again pumped the crowd up.
However the inevitable was delayed and a poor drop shot from Sakkari allowed Krejcikova to hit a backhand winner and claim victory in 3 hours and 18 minutes.
Krejcikova will play her first grand slam singles final on Saturday against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
