Johanna Konta will face Karolina Pliskova in the final of the Italian Open after battling past Kiki Bertens 5-7 7-5 6-2 in Rome.

Konta, who turned 28 on Friday, recovered after losing the last three games of the opening set on Saturday to continue her impressive clay-court form.

The unseeded British player came through after two hours and 47 minutes against the Dutch world No.4, who won the Madrid title last week.

It was a first victory for Konta over a player ranked in the top five since beating Simona Halep at Wimbledon in 2017.

Although Konta had responded after going 3-1 down in the first set to level at 4-4 and then lead, the Briton’s serve let her down again as Bertens edged ahead before taking her first set-point chance.

Konta levelled the match following another close second set, securing a crucial break in the 11th game and then holding serve.

She continued her momentum into the decider, pushing 5-2 ahead before needing four match points to eventually secure a spot in the final with a big serve.

Pliskova needed just one hour and 28 minutes to beat Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-4 and secure her place in Sunday’s showpiece.

The world No.7 won 76 per cent of her points on first serve in a dominant performance against the Greek.

Sakkari, who won just one break point, was unable to capitalise on key moments as Pliskova progressed to her first final in Rome.