World number 83 and first-time finalist, Sloane Stephens has earned her first career Grand Slam title by defeating fellow American Madison Keys in the US Open final.
24-year-old Stephens emphatically dispatched 15th seed Keys, who is also a Grand Slam final debutant, 6-3 6-0 in front of a rapturous crowd at Flushing Meadows.
Speaking after her victory, the very excited Stephens said: “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,”
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Congratulations to @Madison_Keys and @SloaneStephens on a truly fabulous two weeks of tennis in Flushing Meadows.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/JUvfoJJrDa
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017
“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 have been a draw.” she added.
Stephens will earn £2.84m in prize money as she becomes the first American to win a Grand Slam title outside the Williams family in 15 years.
“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.” Madison Keys explained.
She continues: “If I’m going to lose to anyone today, I’m glad it’s to her.”
