Johanna Konta has rallied past sixth-seed Kiki Bertens 5-7 7-5 6-2 to reach the Italian Open final for the biggest clay-court result of her career.

The victory over the Dutch star, who won the Madrid Open last week, will give the British ace confidence going into French Open, which starts next weekend.

Midway through the first set, Konta surprised Bertens with a drop shot winner during a baseline rally, causing Bertens to fall on her stomach to the clay as she rapidly changed directions.

In the next game, Konta ran down a drop shot and produced an angled winner that drew a roar from the Foro Italico crowd.

The world No.42 served for the first set at 5-4 but was broken at love by the Dutchwoman.

But Bertens then double faulted to let Konta serve for the second set and Konta got an early break in the third.

The British ace’s only previous final on clay came recently in Rabat, Morocco, where she lost the title match to Maria Sakkari.

Konta will face either the Greek star again, or fourth-seeded Karolina Pliskova, in Sunday’s final.