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Home , Flavia Pennetta, Sloane Stephens

SPORTS Monday, September 11, 2017 23 Stephens captures first Slam crown

Sloane Stephens of the US celebrates with her winning trophy

New York managed the feat at this since beat I wish it could have loane Stephens captured year’s . Evonne Goolagong 6-3, 6-0 her first title The only prior unseeded in 1976. US Open Sby routing fellow American US Open women’s champion “I didn’t play my best been a draw 6-3, 6-0 in was , who came today and I’m The last 10 women champions New York Saturday’s US Open final. back from retirement to take disappointed in that but USA S Open champion Sloane Stephens said she Stephens took a $3.7 the 2009 title. Sloane was very supportive 2017 Uwished her US Open final triumph over close million (3.07 million euros) “It’s incredible,” Stephens and if there’s someone I have Angelique GER friend Madison Keys could have been a draw rather top prize from the biggest said. “I had surgery January to lose to today I’m glad it’s 2016 Kerber than the rout it turned out to be. victory of her career, pitted 23. If sone told me then her. Sloane is truly one of my 2015 ITA Both women embraced at the net before sitting against one of her closest I’d win the US Open, it’s favourite people. next to each other courtside as they waited for the friends in the first all-US impossible I’d say, absolutely “If you told me two 2014 USA post-match ceremony to start. final since 2002 on the New impossible. months ago I’d be holding a “Maddy is one of my best friends, if not my best York hardcourts. “This journey has been US Open finalist’s trophy I’d 2013 Serena Williams USA friend on tour and I told her I would not have “I should just retire now,” incredible and honestly I have been really happy and wanted to play anybody else,” said the 24-year-old. Stephens said. “I’ll never be wouldn’t change it for the proud of myself.” 2012 Serena Williams USA “It’s a special moment. I said to her that I wished able to top this. Talk about a world.” Presented with the it could have been a draw. comeback. Things just have Stephens made only winner’s check, Stephens 2011 AUS “If the situation was the other way around, Maddy to come together and the past six unforced errors in the said, ‘That’s a lot of money. would have said the same thing. It’s incredible. It’s six weeks they really have.” match to 30 for Keys, who Wow,” but then handed the 2010 Kim Clijsters BEL what true friendship is all about.” With the 15th victory had 18 winners to 10 for the check envelope to best pal Stephens only returned to the tour at Wimbledon in her past 17 matches, champion. Keys, who she sat next to 2009 Kim Clijsters BEL after missing 11 months having undergone left Stephens became only the It was the first final set after the victory rather than foot surgery. “I had surgery on January 23 and if fifth unseeded player to win a of a US Open women’s on opposite sides of the 2008 Serena Williams USA someone had told me then that I would be the US women’s Slam title, although championship match where umpire’s chair, to take hold Open champion, I would have said that would be Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko the loser didn’t take a game of the winner’s trophy. (AFP) impossible,” said Stephens. (AFP) Keys tells Stephens ‘drinks are on you’ New York winning a July title at Stanford. adison Keys surveyed the But her problems on Saturday wreckage of her US Open were more in the mind than with Mrout at the hands of close friend the body. Sloane Stephens and told the new “I definitely think my play today champion to foot the bar bill when came down to nerves and all of that, the championship party starts. and I just don’t think I handled the But Keys fully expected her pal occasion perfectly,” admitted Keys, to make up for the pain she caused. playing in her first Slam final. “Of course I will go to the “I was obviously nervous all celebration, I would 100 per cent morning. Sloane’s a tough opponent go. She can buy me drinks, all of the to play when you’re not making a drinks,” said Keys. lot of balls, but then, at the same Stephens would have no problem time, she’s not going to miss, either. in funding the party after her win “I didn’t totally know what to do Jamie Murray of Great Britain and of Switzerland pose dur- on Saturday earned a staggering once I got on the court, which just ing the trophy presentation after defeating Hao-Ching Chan of Taiwan and $3.7 million (3.07 million euros). intensifies those nerves even more. Michael Venus of New Zealand in their Mixed Doubles finals match on Day The 22-year-old Keys had So I was definitely not feeling 100 Thirteen of the 2017 US Open at the USTA National Tennis undergone a second left wrist per cent good on the court at any Centre on Saturday in the Flushing neighbourhood of the Queens borough Madison Keys of the surgery after the French Open before point.” (AFP) of New York City. (AFP)