Connect with us

Sports

Stephens completes ‘incredible journey’ to US Open title

Published

on

Stephens completes 'incredible journey' to US Open title

Unseeded American Sloane Stephens beat compatriot Madison Keys in the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open for her first Grand Slam title.

Stephens, who defeated Venus Williams in the semifinals, beat 15th seed Keys 6-3 6-0 in the final to win her first ever major title.

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

“This journey has been incredible and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Stephens said after her victory.

“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.”

Read Also: Kante scores against former club as Chelsea win at Leicester

Both women were making their Grand Slam final debuts, and have been close friends since childhood.

“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.

In response, Keys said: “Sloane is truly one of my favourite people and to play against her was special.

“If I’m going to lose to anyone today, I’m glad it’s to her.”

Stephens, who also became first American woman from outside the Williams family to win a major singles title since Jennifer Capriati at the 2002 Australian Open, collected £2.84m in prize money.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now