It’s an all-American battle in the women’s final of the US Open, with the powerful Madison Keys taking on one of the best defensive players on the WTA circuit, Sloane Stephens. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6am (AEST).
Both players have shown brilliant form throughout the US summer, and it’s paid off in a big way, with the US Open certain to have a new grand slam winner from the home country.
This fortnight has been the best in American tennis for almost a decade, with four home players making the semi-final. In the semi-finals on Thursday evening, Venus Williams and Coco Vandeweghe had their campaigns come to an end, but the way it happened was extremely different.
For Williams, it was a hard fought three set affair, to say the least. Stephens put in an incredible effort to unseat the veteran. Some of her defensive play and stroke making from the baseline was stunning to watch, while the court movement on display was sensational.
The 7-5 final set was possibly the best Stephens has ever played. Williams was right up to the challenge, but Stephens was equal to everything thrown at her and then some.
That followed a second set where she fell off the charts though, losing 6-0. But then again, it was a strange opening to the match with Stephens winning 6-1.
Given her semi-final runs in both Cincinnati and Montreal before the US Open, it has to be said the second set was a one-off.
Pressure does funny things to players at the back end of grand slams though, although none of those signs were evident for Keys as she blasted Vandeweghe off the court. The 6-1, 6-2 victory, coming in just over an hour (under an hour on the court thanks to a medical timeout) couldn’t have been more dominant.
The medical timeout was the only worry to come out of the game, and indeed the tournament so far for Keys. Although she said post match it was nothing serious, and she wanted to just get it worked on before the right leg became a real problem, if there’s one thing the final will be, it’s physical.
Keys might have a big serve, monstrous forehand and consistency over the last month to ensure she is hard to beat, but Stephens has one of the best defensive skill sets on tour. Getting it past her is going to take some serious work, and that probably means a longer, grinding match.
Against Vandeweghe, Keys had a landslide of winners, and she is going to need to do that again against Stephens, but attacking the sidelines a whole lot more.
Prediction
Keys has the power edge and her consistency has been unbelievable over the last few months. She should win her first grand slam title.
Keys in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the women’s final from 6am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Brian
Guest
Bland city ie all american semis-ah well there's always next year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that's going to do it here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 US Open women's final, as Sloane Stephens beat Madison Keys in dominant fashion, to the tune of 6-3, 6-0. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back from 6am (AEST) tomorrow morning for the men's final between Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson. Before then, I've got live coverage of the NRL Finals at 4pm (AEST) this afternoon between the Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Now there's the small matter of a $3.7 million cheque - not one of those big novelty ones either. Little enevelope handed across. And here's the trophy!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stephens. "It's incredible. I had surgery January 23, and I would have said this is impossible back then. My journey coming back, just being able to keep it together. It's incredible. I wouldn't change it for the world." "Madison is one of my best friends on tour and to play her here I wouldn't have wanted to play anyone else. For us to be here is a special moment. (On the side of the court) I told her I wish it was a draw, but I'll support her like I know she would support me." "I should just retire now. I told Maddison I'll never be able to top this. I mean, talk about a comeback. I just tried to keep the best attitude, I have the best teams and the last five six weeks, things have really come together."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Keys now. "Sloane is a great person. Obviously I didn't play great tennis, but Sloane was very supportive (at the net after the match) and if there's someone I have to lose to, it's Sloane." "I have had a very interesting year. A reall rough start, surgery in the middle and I have this amazing team here. They have helped me get here. If you told me two months ago I'd have a finalist trophy at the US Open, I would have been really happy and proud of myself." "We both have trophies today, so I guess that says alot (about the state of US tennis)."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Presentation getting underway.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match and tournament Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that's great to see. Keys and Stephens are great friends, and they now share a laugh on the side of the court as we wait for the presentations to begin.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Only the third time in the career of Keys that she has been held to love in a set. Incredible stuff from Stephens.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stephens has made her way up to her players box, seeing her team up there now. Keys looking rather emotional on the side of the court. For Stephens, she is going to move inside the top 20 in the world, and you haven't heard the last from her. She will win more grand slam titles.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Heartbreak for Keys, but what a story.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP SLOANE STEPHENS Well, she can't quite believe it, can she? Sloane Stephens, after spending nearly a year out of the game is a grand slam champion! Keys puts a ball into the net from the baseline, and Stephens stands, looking, not quite able to believe what's just happened! And why could she? Just over an hour for a 6-3, 6-0 domination. Keys struggled too get into the match, making a stack of unforced errors and just not able to do anything about Stephens, who played a tactically perfect game. Madison Keys 3 0 Sloane Stephens 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stephens with some incredible defence on the return of serve here, runs Keys off the court and she sends the forehand wide. Another championship point. Keys 3 0 - Steph 6 5 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great return of serve and Keys drives a forehand into the net. Keys 3 0 - deuce (3) Steph 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Keys has released the shackles here. She is starting to swing freely, hit the ball well and it's all too little, too late, but great shot and Stephens puts one into the net. Keys 3 0 - AD Steph 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's probably the best point Keys has played all match. Huge forehand after huge forehand, she had to defend about half way through it, then put away the corner ball. Keys 3 0 - deuce (2) Steph 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another championship point as Keys comes up with another unforced error into the net on the forehand. Keys 3 0 - Steph 6 5 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Keys saves the championship point then. Nice work from the baseline, and she has been so inconsistent today. Stephens puts a ball into the net. Keys 3 0 - deuce (1) Steph 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Championship point for Stephens after 47 minutes. Wide serve, short angled return and Keys puts a runner wide. Keys 3 0 - 30 Steph 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stephens with a deep return and Keys drives one long. Keys 3 0 - 30 Steph 6 5 - 30