Stephens produced a superb comeback in her clash with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka to reach the final for the first time at the Crandon Park Tennis Centre.

The 25-year-old dropped the opening set but recovered to clinch a dramatic 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over the world number one.

Ostapenko's route to the tournament's showpiece women's contest was much more serene as she dispatched American Danielle Collins 7-6, 6-3.

The final will be a meeting of two of last year's Grand Slam winners as the Latvian claimed the French Open crown and Stephens triumphed at the US Open.

"I knew I had to stay in it," said Stephens. 

"Victoria is a great champion.

"I kept battling and I got a little momentum going in the second set.

"Growing up in South Florida, this is so incredible to be in the final.

"I knew I had to focus on my side of the court and be solely focused on myself."

In the men's draw, fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany progressed to the semi-finals with a comfortable 6-4, 6-4 win over Borna Ćorić of Croatia.

Zverev will take on Spain's Pablo Carreño Busta after he knocked out sixth seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa courtesy of a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 victory.

The other men's semi-final will be between Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro and American John Isner.

Both last four encounters are scheduled to take place tomorrow.