Whiley beaten in French Open singles semi

Jordanne Whiley’s bid for a second Grand Slam singles title ended on Friday with defeat against Sabine Ellebrock at the French Open semi-finals.

Ickenham-based Whiley – the reigning US Open champion – had not previously been to the last four at Roland Garros.

But, following a brilliant victory over world number one and defending champion Jiske Griffioen on Thursday, she faced German Ellebrock for a place in the final.

Whiley, 23, was broken four times on her way to dropping the first set 6-3 before storming through the second set 6-1.

Seven of the 10 games in the decider were won against the serve, with Whiley battling to stay in contention, but Ellebrock held her nerve to clinch victory.

Whiley has the chance to win her seventh Grand Slam doubles title on Saturday when she and Yui Kamiji face either the Dutch top seeds, Griffioen and Aniek Van Koot, or Ellerbrock and her French partner Charlotte Famin.