US Open women's final: Sloane Stephens beats Madison Keys to win title

Summary

Sloane Stephens wins US Open for her maiden Grand Slam title
Unseeded Stephens beats fellow American Madison Keys 6-3 6-0
Stephens was ranked 957 in July having had foot surgery

Live Reporting

Mike Henson

Bye for nowpublished at 23:04 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Image source, Reuters
Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys head off into the night on a double date with triumph and disaster.
That is where we leave coverage for today. Be sure to check the website for Piers Newbery's considered thoughts from on the ground in New York.
And, of course, return here for tomorrow's men's final.
We'll be rollling with radio and text coverage from 20:45 BST.
Nice.
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Ahem, a correction...published at 22:55 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Earlier I suggested that Sloane Stephens' boyfriend and former Sunderland and Hull striker Jozy Altidore was present for her victory.
If he was he was then Toronto FC have given him a very, very free role.
Altidore is indeed busy on the day job.
Toronto are 1-0 up on the San Jose Earthquakes coming up to half-time.
He'll have a sneaky check of his phone during the interval surely?
Image source, MLS
Fail to prepare...published at 22:49 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Image source, Getty Images
I am. And now I know...
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Sloane Stephens is handed a small envelope containing a cheque for $3.7m (£2.8m).
The rise in prizemoney for this year's tournament means that it is the biggest winner's cheque handed over in the history of tennis.
She pulls her eyes wide. "It's a lot of money," she tells the US Open official handing it to her.
Madison Keys jokingly offers to take care of it all for her.
Image source, Getty Images
Stephens wins the US Openpublished at 22:42 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Sloane Stephens: I has 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.
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.
I know if it had been the other way round she would have supported me so that is what I am going to do for her. That is what real friendship is.
When I was 11 years old my mum took me to an academy and one of the coaches told her that I would be lucky to be a division II player and get a scholarship. I don't think parents get enough credit. Parents, if you kids want to do something enough, don't give up on them.
Stephens wins the US Openpublished at 22:41 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
And now to our winner...
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:41 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Madison Keys: "I have had a very interesting year, surgery in the middle of it. I have had a great team behind me and my mum up there [in the stands] has been really supportive. If you’d told me I’d have a finalist trophy I’d be really proud of myself."
On the state of American tennis… "We both have trophies today so I guess that says a lot."
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:36 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Madison Keys: "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."
Image source, Getty Images
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:36 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Keys 3-6 0-6 Stephens
Madison Keys steps up to the microphone to offer her thoughts.
Her voice creaking, emotions mangled, she gives an eloquent, clear tribute to the winner, thanking Sloane Stephens for her words of support.
Recent championspublished at 22:33 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
- 2017: Sloane Stephens (US)
- 2016: Angelique Kerber (Ger)
- 2015: Flavia Pennetta (Ita)
- 2014: Serena Willliams (US)
- 2013: Serena Willliams (US)
- 2012: Serena Willliams (US)
- 2011: Samantha Stosur (Aus)
- 2010: Kim Clijsters (Bel)
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:32 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Keys 3-6 0-6 Stephens
This was the moment...
Image source, BBC Sport
It's been emotionalpublished at 22:31 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Stephens wins US Openpublished at 22:31 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Keys 3-6 0-6 Stephens
After Kevin Anderson climbed his way into the players box using a hanging basket as a toe-hold last night, Sloane Stephens is given the option of taking a hastily-located stepladder up to her loved ones.
Sensibly she opts for the longer, safer route. A blue-shirted US Open official leads her through the stands and up to see her entourage including coach Kamau Murray and footballer boyfriend Jozy Altidore - once of Sunderland and Hull, now with Toronto.
'Incredible comeback'published at 22:28 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live
She has always had that competitive fire within her and I think it’s something she really struggled with whilst she was injured.
It’s an incredible comeback, one of the best. The fact that she was able to cope with all that adversity so well. Her coach has done so well to give her the confidence to win this tournament.
Image source, AFP
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 22:28 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
#bbctennis
Ian Robbins: Utterly immense performance from Sloane Stephens, different class.
Iain Black: Stephens is like a mixture of all the best bits of Serena and Hingis. Power and guile and a bit sneaky in equal measures.
Game, set and match Stephenspublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Keys 3-6 0-6 Stephens
Sloane Stephens clamps her hand over her mouth and stares up at her box like she has just been caught on candid camera.
Keys' forehand into the net has handed her the US Open title.
But she won it herself long before.
And then to the net. A long, public-but-private embrace with Keys as they whisper words of congratulations and commiserations to each other.
Touching scenes and surely Keys' time will come.
Image source, AFP
Keys saves championship point, deucepublished at 22:18 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
*Keys 3-6 0-5 Stephens
Twice Madison Keys is backed up to the very brink.
Twice she battles back with big forehands.
Is it all in vain? Quite probably.
Is it any less impressive for that. Not at all.
'Gift wrapped'published at 22:16 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live at Flushing Meadows
Gift wrapped!
Image source, Getty Images
Stephens holdspublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
*Keys 3-6 0-5 Stephens
Sloane Stephens takes a seat with a double-break cushion and just one game separating her from her maiden Grand Slam.
You would say that it is a nerve jangling situation.
But, as she sips pink sports juice and stares right through the stand opposite, she looks as sure and certain as an ice-breaker.
Stephens saves three break points, deucepublished at 22:12 British Summer Time 9 September 2017
Keys 3-6 0-4 *Stephens
Rock-steady nerves combined with flawless execution.
Sloane Stephens saves the third break point with an immaculate point, soaking up the heavy hitting, running down a drop shot, prodding deep and slapping away the smash.
Hugely impressive escapology.
Still deuce to deal with though...