Tennis News

From around the world

Sloane Stephens beats Madison Keys to win US Open in straight sets

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary.

Unseeded Sloane Stephens completed a spectacular return from injury by beating fellow American Madison Keys to win the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Stephens, ranked 83rd, beat 15th seed Keys 6-3 6-0 in the final.

The 24-year-old was ranked as low as 957th six weeks ago, having only returned from 11 months out with a foot injury at Wimbledon.

She becomes only the fifth unseeded woman to win a major title in the Open era.

Both women were making their Grand Slam final debuts, and their combined ranking of 99 was the lowest for a US Open final since the rankings began.

Close friends since childhood, they shared a long hug at the net after Keys netted a forehand on the third match point, and Stephens then headed into the crowd to embrace her mother.

  • Reaction to US Open women’s final
  • Live scores and results from all the courts

Keys, 22, had played superbly to win her semi-final against Coco Vandeweghe, making 24 winners to just nine errors and moving to the top of the aces chart with a display of controlled power.

Stephens had come through a far more tense encounter against Venus Williams, with her athletic defensive skills all the more remarkable as her foot had been in a protective boot as recently as May.

It was her calm consistency that prevailed in a final that became something of a horror show for Keys.

Over the course of 61 minutes, she made 30 unforced errors to just six from the rock-solid Stephens.

After the first four games went quickly with serve, Keys was broken when a forehand flew long, and a similar error gave up the set after half an hour.

Keys offered up another opportunity early in the second with a woeful backhand volley, and Stephens grabbed her chance with a rasping backhand winner followed by a cross-court forehand.

The final appeared as good as over when Keys double-faulted to fall 4-0 down, and even when she finally earned break points – three of them at 0-40 after 47 minutes – Stephens would not buckle.

The third of them was seen off with a dart to the net and a confident forehand volley, leaving Stephens to serve for the match.

There was a final flurry of resistance from Keys but she could only find the net on match point number three, as Stephens reeled off eight games in a row to clinch her first major title.

More to follow.

Inspired to play tennis?

Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.

Follow tennis with the BBC
Alerts: Tennis news sent to your phone
My Sport: Sign up to follow tennis news

Source link

Djokovic Welcomes Birth Of Second Child

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Djokovic Welcomes Birth Of Second Child

Serbian celebrates birth of daughter Tara

Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena welcomed the birth of their second child, a healthy baby girl named Tara. The former World No. 1 announced the news on Saturday morning on his social media channels.

In October 2014, Djokovic welcomed his first child, a son named Stefan.

Djokovic posted the following message on Facebook:

Very happy and proud to welcome our little girl Tara to our home. Jelena and I have been hand in hand on this journey and as a man, I have to send my love and admiration to every single women out there for going through so much pain and effort to create life, to bring life and raise a human being… what a blessing to have an opportunity to be a parent! Thank you for celebrating the birth of my daughter and sending my family all the love and best wishes in the past few days. On behalf of me and Jelena, I want to say thank you! We are back from hospital, Jelena and Tara are my angels, and Stefan is a proud big brother who wants to take part in baby chores. Life is divine!

Djokovic is expected to return to the ATP World Tour in 2018 after shutting down his 2017 season in July due to an elbow injury.

Moet and Chandon off-court news 

Source link

Murray/Hingis Win Second Straight Mixed Doubles Title

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Murray/Hingis Win Second Straight Mixed Doubles Title

Jamie Murray claims third career mixed crown

Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis capped a dominant mixed doubles campaign in 2017, improving to 10-0 together with their second title in a row on Sunday at the US Open. The British-Swiss duo defeated Michael Venus and Hao-Ching Chan 6-1, 4-6, 10/8 in a tight Match Tie-break.

Murray and Hingis are the first team to go back-to-back at Wimbledon and the US Open since Hingis achieved the feat with Leander Paes in 2015. They are the only tandems to do so in 20 years.

Murray notched his third mixed doubles title in total, adding to his maiden triumph at Wimbledon in 2007 (w/Jankovic). He is the first British man to win the US Open mixed doubles title since Peter Curtis in 1968 (w/Eisel).

“We had a great run,” Murray said. “We played a great tie-break and the crowd was really into it. There was a lot of noise. Some crazy rallies going on. For us, it’s so much fun to go there and play in a huge stadium, with a lot of people coming out to watch.

“It’s been a lot of fun for me. A great opportunity for me to compete with Martina. She’s such a great player and a huge champion of the game. It’s been a lot of fun. Every time we are on court, we get a lot of people coming out to watch us, a lot of people supporting us. It makes it fun to play. Like I said before, that’s what we enjoy most about playing tennis, playing in front of a lot of people. That’s where the enjoyment is, trying to put on a good show and play good tennis.”

For Venus, the run to the final caps a career-year at the Grand Slam level, having claimed the doubles title with Ryan Harrison at Roland Garros.

You May Also Like: Rojer/Tecau Capture Second Major Title In New York

Source link

US Open Final Preview: Nadal Vs. Anderson

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

US Open Final Preview: Nadal Vs. Anderson

A look ahead to the 2017 US Open final, where Rafael Nadal faces Kevin Anderson

The US Open championship on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium matches World No. 1 Rafael Nadal against No. 28 seed Kevin Anderson, who is making his Grand Slam final debut. Nadal has won the four previous meetings (9-1 in sets), including a third round match in Barcelona in April. In their lone Grand Slam meeting, Nadal won 75 61 64 in the Round of 16 at the 2015 Australian Open.

The champion will be the fifth straight Grand Slam winner 30 & over going back to last year’s US Open where Stan Wawrinka (31) captured the title. Since then, Roger Federer (35) won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Nadal (31) earned the Roland Garros crown.

View FedEx ATP Head2Head matchup for the US Open final and vote for who you think will win!
Nadal vs. Anderson

View Sunday Schedule

This is just the seventh time in the Open Era that a Grand Slam final has been contested by a pair of players 30 & over. This is the first 30 & over US Open final since 2002 when Pete Sampras (31) defeated Andre Agassi (32).

All-Time Grand Slam Title Leaders

Player Titles
Roger Federer 19
Rafael Nadal 15
Pete Sampras 14
Novak Djokovic 12
Roy Emerson 12

The Big Four of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray has won 45 of the last 50 Grand Slam titles. Anderson is trying to become only the fourth player to break through and join former US Open champions Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic and Wawrinka during that stretch, Wawrinka has won three Grand Slam titles. Since 2005 Roland Garros, Nadal and Federer have both captured 15 Grand Slam titles (Djokovic-12, Murray-3).

Read Player Previews: Nadal | Anderson

View FedEx ATP Head2Head: Nadal Leads 4-0

Nadal is appearing in his fourth US Open final (2-1), the first since capturing the 2013 title. His three previous US Open finals came against Novak Djokovic, beating the Serb in 2010 and falling in the 2011 title match. Nadal is making his third Grand Slam final showing of the season with a runner-up at the Australian Open (l. to Federer) and capturing a 10th Roland Garros crown (d. Wawrinka). The 31-year-old Spaniard is 15-7 lifetime in Grand Slam finals. His last Slam title on hard courts came here in Flushing Meadows in 2013.

Nadal is attempting to win at least two Grand Slam titles in a season for the fourth time in his career (3 in 2010, 2 in 2008, 2013). He is trying to win his first hard court singles title since January 2014 in Doha (d. Monfils). He has played 34 hard-court tournaments, reaching eight hard-court finals since his last title on the surface. Nadal has not faced a Top 20 opponent at the US Open and the last Grand Slam champion to do that was Pete Sampras at 2000 Wimbledon.

Open Era US Open Title Leaders

Player Titles
Years Won
Jimmy Connors 5 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982-83
Roger Federer 5 2004-08
Pete Sampras 5 1990, 1993, 1995-96, 2002
Ivan Lendl 4 1979-81, 1984
John McEnroe 3 1985-87
Rafael Nadal 3? 2010, 2013, 2017?

Anderson is the first South African to reach the US Open final since Cliff Drysdale (l. to Santana) in 1965 and in a Grand Slam final since Kevin Curren (l. to Wilander) at the 1984 Australian Open. Johan Kriek is the last South African Grand Slam singles champion at the 1981 Australian Open (d. Denton). Kriek represented the USA when he won the 1982 Australian Open. The 31-year-old Anderson is the oldest first-time Grand Slam finalist since Nikki Pilic (33) at 1973 Roland Garros (l. to Nastase).

The oldest first-time Slam champion in the Open Era is Andres Gimeno (34) at 1972 Roland Garros. The World No. 32 Anderson is the lowest-ranked Grand Slam finalist since No. 38 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2008 Australian Open (l. to Djokovic). Anderson is also the lowest-ranked US Open finalist since the inception of the Emirates ATP Rankings in 1973. The previous lowest-ranked US Open finalist was No. 22 Mark Philippoussis  in 1998 (l. to Rafter). No. 20-ranked Andre Agassi is the lowest-ranked US Open champion in 1994. Anderson is trying to become the lowest-ranked Grand Slam champion since No. 44 Gaston Gaudio at 2004 Roland Garros.

Grand Slam Appearances Before Winning First Title (Open Era)

Player Appearances
Title
Goran Ivanisevic 48 2001 Wimbledon
Stan Wawrinka 36 2014 Australian Open
Petr Korda 34 1998 Australian Open
Kevin Anderson? 34? 2017 US Open?
Marin Cilic 29 2014 US Open

Source link

Back On Top, Nadal Eyes More Grand Slam Glory

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Back On Top, Nadal Eyes More Grand Slam Glory

Top seed enters his fourth US Open final with momentum at his back

At the start of the 2017 season, Rafael Nadal was clinging to a Top 10 position in the Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 9. Having concluded his 2016 campaign early due to a wrist injury, the state of the Spaniard’s game was in question. Would he return to his top form? Could he contend for big titles again?

Nadal has since swept away those questions with authority, eliminating any doubts of his ability to reclaim his mantle atop the Emirates ATP Rankings. Eight months later, the Manacor native is putting the rest of the ATP World Tour on notice with vintage Nadal performances. Boasting the energy, passion and offensive onslaught that have seen him finish at year-end No. 1 on three occasions, the 31 year old surged past Juan Martin del Potro to book his spot in a fourth US Open final on Sunday.

As Nadal vies for his third title at Flushing Meadows, having previously lifted the trophy with victories over Novak Djokovic in both 2010 and 2013, he admits that it is his consistent play over the entire season that has enabled him to return to this elite level.

“I tell you, for me what is more important, more than winning Slams, is to be happy,” said Nadal. “I am happy if I am healthy and if I feel competitive in most of the weeks that I am playing. That’s what has happened this year. So I am very happy about what happened, very happy to win Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Roland Garros. I am very happy to be in the final here in the US Open.

“Of course winning or losing this final is a big change, but I am very happy about all the things that happened to me and I am going to fight to win another title here. Still it is a great season for me. If I win, I will be more happy but it is about being healthy and feeling well and competitive. That’s already happened in the whole season. So that’s the most important thing for me.”

You May Also Like: Anderson Reaps Rewards On Long Road Back

Should Nadal prevail on Sunday, it would mark the first time in his career in which he has rallied from a set down in three matches en route to a title. He has battled hard throughout the fortnight, coming back to overcome Taro Daniel in the second round, Leonardo Mayer in the third round and del Potro in the semi-finals.

The last obstacle in Nadal’s path: South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. The top seed leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head 4-0, dropping just one set, and is keen to continue his positive momentum in Sunday’s championship. They most recently met in the third round of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell in April, which Nadal claimed 6-3, 6-4.

He would go on to take the title in Barcelona, his second of four victories this year. Having opened the season with runner-up finishes on the hard courts of the Australian Open, Acapulco and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Miami, Nadal has since reeled off four straight wins in title matches, adding trophies in Monte-Carlo, Madrid and Roland Garros to his triumph in Barcelona. He is leading the pack in the Emirates ATP Race To London, surging to a 1,000-point advantage over Federer.

Open Era US Open Title Leaders

Player Titles
Years Won
Jimmy Connors 5 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982-83
Roger Federer 5 2004-08
Pete Sampras 5 1990, 1993, 1995-96, 2002
Ivan Lendl 4 1979-81, 1984
John McEnroe 3 1985-87
Rafael Nadal 3? 2010, 2013, 2017?

Having lifted an unprecedented 10th trophy at Roland Garros in June, he will look to further cement himself in Grand Slam immortality. Currently with 15 Grand Slam titles, a win in New York would put him three behind Roger Federer for the all-time lead titles lead. It has been a long, but fruitful, journey.

“I felt when I arrived in Australia that I was playing at a very high level, but then you need to win matches. I was playing well, but then you need to do it in the competition. Of course if you practise well and you feel well, you have more chances to win matches in the events, in the tournaments. It’s about confidence.

“It’s about things that when you are on court comes automatic. You don’t have to think about what you are doing in some moments, the important moments. Things come straightaway without thinking that much, and all these things happen only when you are in a good moment, in a good way winning a lot of matches in a row.

“Now what remains in the last match is a very tough opponent and I need to be ready for it. It is a very important match for me, so I am going to try my best to play my best.”

Source link

US Open 2017: Martina Hingis & Jamie Murray win mixed doubles

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Briton Jamie Murray and Swiss Martina Hingis added the US Open title to their Wimbledon mixed doubles title with a 6-1 4-6 10-8 win over Michael Venus and Hao-Ching Chan at Flushing Meadows.

The pair prevailed in a championship tie-break after their third-seeded opponents levelled the match by taking the second set.

More to follow.

Source link

Del Potro Reflects On Epic US Open Run

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Del Potro Reflects On Epic US Open Run

Juan Martin del Potro caps a dream run in New York

It was a heroic fortnight for Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open. But the 2009 champion saw his fairytale run come to an end on Friday evening at Flushing Meadows, succumbing to Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals.

Del Potro started strong, launching his forehand and backhand to claim the opener after 50 minutes. Despite being overcome by fatigue, the Argentine gave full credit to his opponent, as Nadal seized the initiative with an aggressive mindset in the second, third and fourth sets.

“Today I think he had the game to win, to beat me, and to win the tournament,” del Potro told the assembled media following the match. “He played very smart from the second until the end of the match, because I was just standing all the time on my left side and once he played down the line, he won the point.

“I think at the beginning of the match, he was playing all the time to my backhand, trying to see how good is my backhand at this moment. It was good, but it wasn’t good enough to play a four-set, five-set match. And I couldn’t make any winners in the match, which you must do a lot of winners against Rafa.”

You May Also Like: Ruthless Rafa Sprints Into US Open Final

Del Potro inspired the tennis world at the US Open. The Tandil native went from being on the verge of falling over while struggling with the flu and a fever against Dominic Thiem in the Round of 16, to stunning Roger Federer two days later. He fought off two match points to defeat Thiem, storming back from 1-6, 2-6 down, before stopping a highly anticipated Nadal-Federer semi-final with an upset of the Swiss on Wednesday.

After four wrist surgeries, del Potro showed the heart that endeared him to a legion of fans throughout his career. It was his first appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2013.

“I’m just tired. I’ve been exhausted after the Thiem match and the Roger match. I had a flu during the week. So I had many problems before this match, but I was very motivated to play the semi-final in my best tournament. I think he just played better than me. He deserved to win and I did all my best, all my effort to survive this match, but I couldn’t do well.”

On Monday, del Potro will return to the Top 25 of the Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time since October 2014. Projected to move to No. 24, the top Argentine was appearing in his second tour-level semi-final of the year (Delray Beach).

Source link

Nadal beats Del Potro to reach US Open final

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary.

Top seed Rafael Nadal swept past Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in brilliant style to set up a US Open final against Kevin Anderson.

The Spaniard won nine games in a row at one stage on his way to a 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 victory in the second semi-final.

Nadal, 31, will try for a third US Open and 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday, against a surprise opponent.

South Africa’s Anderson, 31, beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 earlier on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

At 32 in the world, Anderson is the lowest-ranked man to reach a US Open singles final since the ranking system was introduced in 1973.

He faces a huge challenge against Nadal, who has a 4-0 record in their head-to-head and grew stronger as the match wore on against a tired Del Potro.

  • US Open semi-finals as they happened
  • Friends Stephens & Keys set for final
  • Murray & Hingis reach mixed doubles final

“It means a lot,” said Nadal. “It has been an amazing season of course after a couple with injures and troubles.

“To be back here in front of this amazing crowd, on this amazing court, and to have the chance to fight for another title is so important to me.”

The last time Nadal lost a Grand Slam semi-final was against Del Potro on the same court eight years ago, and he was not about to endure a repeat performance.

After losing a tight first set, the Spaniard hit a rich vein of form, dropping just five more games, dominating on serve and ending the match with 25 forehand winners.

“I changed a couple of things after the first set,” added Nadal.

“I was playing too much to his backhand and I knew that I had to change and move him more and be more unpredictable. It worked really well and I am very happy.”

Del Potro, roared on by the Argentine fans who have given him loud support throughout this US Open, gathered himself to win a tight first set, before running out of steam.

The 24th seed coped superbly in the early stages as Nadal pummelled his weaker backhand wing, winning the cross-court battle and, thanks to a net cord on break point, with it the set.

But an epic five-set win over Dominic Thiem and a draining four-set defeat of Roger Federer in the previous rounds had left Del Potro admitting that he felt tired, and Nadal took full advantage.

The world number one found his range in the second set, shifting the point of attack to send his forehand up the line and reeling off 13 winners to Del Potro’s one.

By the time Nadal had pulled out a 3-0 lead, there was little opposition for him across the net.

Del Potro looked to be saving his remaining reserves of energy to go again in the third, but after falling 5-2 down, a late flurry of resistance was not enough.

Inspired to play tennis?

Find out how to get into tennis in our special guide.

Nadal punched way a volley on set point just as the match clock hit two hours, followed by the familiar fist-pump and cry of “Vamos!”

Another forehand winner, his 23rd of the night, guided down the line brought the 2010 and 2013 champion the break he needed in the fourth, and there was no way back – even for Del Potro.

“I’m just tired,” said Del Potro. “I’ve been exhausted after the Thiem match, Roger match. I had flu during the week.

“So I had many problems before this match, but I was very motivated to play the semi-final in my best tournament.

“I think he just played better than me. He deserved to win, and I did all my best, all my effort to survive this match, but I couldn’t do well.”

Looking forward to his next opponent, Nadal said: “It will be very tough against Kevin.

“He has an unbelievable serve and is a great example for the kids in the way he has come back from injury.

“I have known him since we were 12, so I am very happy for him.”

Analysis – ‘Nadal’s response was flawless’

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

For one set, Del Potro was able to play as he did against Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

Nadal’s response to the danger of losing the first set was immediate and almost flawless. Playing every inch like a world number one, he won the next nine games – his serve a strong foundation as he made only one unforced error in the second set.

Del Potro tired at the end of a strenuous week, but Nadal would have broken the spirit of most men.

Anderson’s story is a heart-warming one. Warned by some specialists at the end of last year he would need hip surgery and possibly a year out of the sport, he overcame an edgy start to power through to the final.

And then in an emotional interview on court, he thanked everyone who has helped him: including brother Greg for the “millions of hours” they played together while growing up.

Follow tennis with the BBC
Alerts: Tennis news sent to your phone
My Sport: Sign up to follow tennis news

Source link

Anderson Reaps Rewards On Long Road Back

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017

Anderson Reaps Rewards On Long Road Back

South African flying the flag as he reaches first Slam final

Clambering into the stands – all 6’8” of him – to embrace his family and team, Kevin Anderson’s post-match celebration on Friday was more akin to that of the US Open champion than of a semi-final victor. There was more to it though than the elation of reaching a first Grand Slam final at age 31, after a four-set triumph over No. 12 seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Granted it was arguably the best shot either man would have earned at reaching a Grand Slam final. But for Anderson, it was as much about the reward of having bounced back from a frustrating two years riddled with injuries. The South African started the season at No. 80 in the Emirates ATP Rankings after an injury-ravaged 2016. It was his lowest mark since August 2010.

Hip, leg and right elbow injuries have hindered much of this season, while last year, it was ankle surgery, groin, left knee and right shoulder complaints.

“I felt deep inside I always had a chance, but, I mean, I feel like you sort of put that at bay and focus on each match,” he said. “That’s what I have done. Here I am, almost two weeks later in the final, so that’s obviously a great feeling.”

Now he stands one win from an improbable breakthrough. At No. 28 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Anderson is the lowest-ranked man into a US Open final since the Emirates ATP Rankings began in 1973.

He is the first South African to reach the final since Cliff Drysdale at the US Championships in 1965; the first into a Grand Slam final since Kevin Curren reached the 1984 Australian Open final. He will become the first South African since Johan Kriek (1981 Australian Open) to claim a Grand Slam title should he go one step further. (Kriek represented the United States when he defended his Australian Open crown in 1982).

“My biggest hope is I’m able to inspire the kids to get out and play, because it can definitely feel like it’s a long road being so far from everything,” Anderson said. “I feel like when I’m back, I often speak at several schools, the school that I went to, I’m often giving talks and talking about that sort of stuff. As much as I can, I try and have an impact

“I try and focus on the youth coming up, and I think tennis is a great sport regardless of how far you make it, just obviously a lot of good life lessons.”

You May Also Like: Anderson Fells Carreno Busta To Reach US Open Final

Having worked his way up through the ranks of South African tennis, Anderson spent three seasons playing college tennis in the United States at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2005-2007. It proved an ideal stepping stone into the professional ranks.

He is the first player with college tennis ties since Todd Martin (1999 US Open) to reach a Grand Slam final. Many of of his best results have come on North American hard courts.

In 2015, he made his Top 10 debut in the Emirates ATP Rankings soon after beating Andy Murray to reach the US Open quarter-finals. Two of his three ATP World Tour titles (Winston-Salem 2015, Delray Beach 2012) have come in the United States; his maiden title on home soil in Johannesburg in 2011.

A run to the final at the Citi Open, in Washington D.C. and to the quarter-finals at the Coupe Rogers leading in were a sign Anderson was beginning to find his feet again. His battles now are as much mental as they are physical. But it is an element Anderson has been willing to embrace a factor which could prove the most telling factor in his latest surge.

“If you look at some of the best players that we have seen over the years and that I have been playing with, mentally they are the best competitors, as well, something I have worked hard on,” Anderson said.

“I feel like for me, some of the challenges have been to trust my ability a little bit more. I have always been very critical about myself. I feel like I’m just being a bit more patient with myself. I feel like that’s been a big change I have implemented in the last few months.”

Source link

'It's going to be tough' – friends Stephens & Keys set for US Open final

  • Posted: Sep 09, 2017
US Open women’s final
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: Saturday, 10 September Time: 21:00 BST
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary .

Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens will meet in the first all-American women’s final at the US Open in 15 years.

The pair, close friends, will make their Grand Slam final debuts on Arthur Ashe Stadium at 21:00 BST on Saturday.

Both players returned at Wimbledon after having surgery this year, 15th seed Keys on her wrist and unseeded Stephens on her foot.

Serena and Venus Williams were the last Americans to line up against each other in the US Open women’s final in 2002.

Serena is absent this year after giving birth to her first child, and Venus was beaten by Stephens in the semi-finals.

The winner will be the first woman from the United States outside of the Williams final to claim a major singles title since Jennifer Capriati at the 2002 Australian Open.

Neither of Saturday’s finalists were even playing at this year’s first Grand Slam in Australia as they were both injured.

“I was actually laughing and thinking, who would have thought in Australia that Sloane and I would be the finalists at the US Open?” said Keys.

‘I was in a walking boot a month before Wimbledon’

Both women were highly-rated prospects at a young age, each reaching the Australian Open semi-finals at the age of 19, and their careers remained on an upward trajectory until injuries last year.

Stephens, 24, was ranked 957th in the world six weeks ago, having spent 11 months out of the game with a foot injury that required surgery.

She has returned in spectacular form, taking her recent record to 14 wins in 16 matches when she won a thrilling final set against Williams on Thursday.

“I knew that it was going to be tough,” said Stephens.

“I was in a walking boot like a month before I played Wimbledon. I knew I was going to have to play my way into shape, and I think I’ve done that pretty well.”

Keys, 22, had wrist surgery last November but continued to feel pain after coming back in March, and needed another operation after the French Open in June.

“It’s been a big weight off of my shoulders and I’m playing really free,” said Keys.

“More than anything, I’m just really, really enjoying my time on the court. I think that’s been a massive part of why I have been playing well.”

‘She’s one of my closest friends on tour’

The pair know each other well but have met just once professionally, with Stephens winning in two sets in Miami two years ago.

That did nothing to damage their off-court relationship.

“She’s probably one of my closest friends on tour,” Stephens said of Keys.

“Love her to death. It’s obviously going to be tough. It’s not easy playing a friend.”

Both powerful, Keys is the more attacking player, which can often lead to as many errors as winners, but in her semi-final against Coco Vandeweghe she had the balance absolutely right.

“Everything kind of just worked for me, and if I wanted to go in a certain spot, that’s where I went, and it seemed like it worked,” said Keys.

“Playing Sloane, I know she’s going to get a lot of balls back, and she’s going to reset the point over and over again.

“I’m just going to have to be patient, not go for too much too soon and just try to keep building points until I finally have the right ball.”

Despite the foot surgery, Stephens showed in her win over Williams that her athletic defensive skills remain a major part of her game.

“I’ve got a lot of matches in. I’ve run a lot. I’ve played a couple of three-setters,” she said.

“So, yeah, I think my movement is probably what’s kind of kept me in some of these matches, shockingly.”

Serena praises Keys & Stephens

Six-time US open champion Serena Williams used her first social media messages since becoming a mother a week ago to congratulate Keys and Stephens on reaching the final.

“There are NO words to describe how proud and how happy I am for @Madison-Keys keys and @SloaneStephens for making the US open finals,” Williams tweeted.

Source link