Unseeded American Sloane Stephens Beats Madison Keys to win first Grand Slam with US Open final

Sloane Stephens, who was sidelined for 11 months by a left foot injury until returning in July, completed her epic run through 2017 U.S. Open to capture her first Grand Slam title by routing fellow American Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was ranked No. 934 in the world last month, jumped more than 900 spots in the world rankings in a month, and entered the tournament ranked 83rd, but she shocked everyone with the best two weeks of her career.

Stephens took a $3.7 million top prize from the biggest victory of her career, pitted against one of her closest friends in the first all-US final since 2002 on the New York hardcourts.

With the 15th victory in her past 17 matches, Stephens became only the fifth unseeded player to win a women’s Slam title, although Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko managed the feat at this year’s French Open.

The only prior unseeded US Open women’s champion was Kim Clijsters, who came back from retirement to take the 2009 title.

BEST. DAY. EVER. 🇺🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/R8ARc09Qwb

— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) September 10, 2017

This is also not only the first career Grand Slam title for Stephens, but she also became the first American woman other than Venus and Serena Williams to win a major since Jennifer Capriati in 2002.

Honestly I wouldn't have wanted to play anyone else, Stephens said.

For us both to be here is such a special moment. I told her I wish there could be a draw, because I wish we could have both won. I think that if it was the other way around she would do the same for me.

I'm going to support her no matter what, and I know she's going to support me no matter what. To stand with her today is incredible. That's what real friendship is.