With as much steel in her game as her friend and rival had jitters in hers, Sloane Stephens completed a spectacular return from injury by defeating Madison Keys handily on Sunday afternoon to win her first major title at Flushing Meadows in Queens.
Sloan Stephens (L) beat her friend and opponent Madison Keys (R) to win the US Open 2017 prize on Sunday, 10 September 2017 in Queens, NY. Credit: Reuters
The 24-year old Floridian who had been ranked as low as 957th six weeks ago took control early and kept getting better, crushing her Boca Raton neighbor 6-3, 6-0 in just 61 minutes. Stephens becomes only the fifth unseeded female tennis player to win a major title in the Open era.
The two close friends, both in their early 20s were making their Grand Slam final debuts, their combined ranking of 99 being the lowest for a US Open final since the rankings began.
Sloane Stephens expressing the joy of winning the US Open 2017 in Queens on Sunday, 10 September 2017. Credit: TWITTER
“I had surgery in January and if someone had told me then that I would win the US Open, I would have said it was impossible. This journey has been incredible and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said Stephens.
“Madison is one of my best friends on tour. I wouldn’t have wanted to play anyone else. I told her that I wished it could been a draw.
THE hug – that lasted 19 seconds after Sloane Stephens (L) beats her friend Madison Keys (F) to win the Grand Slam title during US Open 2017 on Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Queens, NY. Credit: EPA/EFE/Andrew Gombert
The victory represented a kind of belated Cinderella season for Sloane Stephens, who was absent from the Tour most of the past year due to foot surgery, returning at Wimbledon ranked above 900. She played well and recovered steadily during the North American summer season, and fought the best match of the women’s draw here against Venus Williams in the semi-final Thursday night.
Stephens and Keys later embraced each other at the end of a match that showcased their different playing styles as well as their coolness under pressure, or lack thereof, as in this particular occasion.
Sloane Stephens walked over to the crowd to embrace her mother after clinching victory at US Open 2017 – Saturday 9 September, 2017, Queens, NY. Credit: EPA
Miss Stephens took advantage of the hard-hitting Miss Keys’ nervousness by repeatedly changing the pace and keeping rallies going from side to side. She rallied from double and even triple break points almost at will.
A crafty defensive baseliner, Stephens attacked the net with ruthless efficiency and, in the second set, stepped up her service game. She blunted Keys’ power with slices as well as counter-punches that kept her on the baseline and off balance.
Sloane Stephens (R) chats with close friend whom she also defeated, Madison Keys (L), after winning the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Queens, New York. Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Keys, who was playing with her right thigh heavily strapped, said: “Sloane is truly one of my favourite people and to play against her was special. I obviously didn’t play my best tennis and Sloane was very supportive.
“If I’m going to lose to anyone today, I’m glad it’s to her.”
Sloane Stephens took home prize money of $3.7 million, the amount which she didn’t expect judging by her surprised expression. Credit: AFP
Notwithstanding her loss, her position as finalist demonstrates the potential of Keys (who also has recovered from injuries), and more generally underscores the depth of American women’s tennis. With a deep field, including semi-finalist Coco Vandeweghe and such rising stars as CiCi Belli, Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys will have company as they seek to take the batons that neither Venus Williams nor her sister Serena (currently on maternity leave) has yet relinquished.
Sloane Stephens, the first American woman from outside the Williams family to win a major singles title since Jennifer Capriati at the 2002 Australian Open collected $3.7 million in prize money.
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