By defeating surprise semifinalist Angelique Kerber 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in the semifinals of the US Open on Saturday, No. 9 seed Sam Stosur became the first Australian woman to reach the final at Flushing Meadows since Wendy Turnball finished runner-up to Chris Evert in 1977.

Though the German stepped up her game in the second set, dictating play from the baseline to even the match at one set all, Stosur was not frazzled. The 27-year-old came through two epic three setters earlier in the tournament, including the longest women’s match at the US Open during the tie-break era, outlasting Nadia Petrova in a three hour, 16 minute third-round clash.

Stosur raised her level of play in the third set, utilizing her penetrating forehand to open up a 5-0 lead. And while she failed to serve out the match in her first attempt, Stosur kept her composure the second time around, saving four break points before closing out the match with a backhand volley winner.

The victory puts Stosur into her second major final; she was a finalist at the French Open last year, losing to Francesca Schiavone. The Brisbane native will aim to hoist her first Grand Slam trophy when she takes on the winner of world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and three-time US Open champion Serena Williams, the No. 28 seed.