Stephens to face Vesnina in Charleston final

Mar 24, 2016; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Sloane Stephens gestures to her player's box after missing a shot against Heather Watson (not pictured) on day three of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Watson won 6-3, 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Sloane Stephens reached her third WTA final of the year when top-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany retired in the second set of their semi-final at the Volvo Car Open in South Carolina on Saturday due to a viral illness.

Seventh seed Stephens had dominated the match played in blustery conditions on the green clay in Charleston, leading 6-1 3-0 when Australian Open champion Kerber waved an end to the match.