An unexpected face is into the Stuttgart final and it isn’t because of a lack of star power. American Coco Vandeweghe has blasted through a loaded field this week, reaching her first ever clay-court final.

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The big-serving 26-year-old has adapted her game to clay, taking advantage of the slightly faster indoor conditions to overpower sixth-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia on Saturday to book her place in her first final of 2018.

It has been an exceptional week for Vandeweghe, erasing her poor start to the season that saw her win just one WTA match prior to this week. She's also taken out the likes of Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep.

Even Vandeweghe herself was surprised at her mastery of the German clay:

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Another big-serving star will stand in the way of the Vandeweghe's first Premier title. Karolina Pliskova, also not a clay-court specialist, charged past Anett Kontaveit to reach the final.

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The two big hitters will battle on Sunday for the title of Stuttgart champion, a shiny new Porsche, and a perfect ending to surprise runs neither saw coming.