8 Sep 2017

U.S. Open finalists decided

3:23 pm on 8 September 2017

A new grand slam champion will be crowned at the U.S. Open after Sloane Stephens beat fellow American Venus Williams in a rollercoaster semi-final in New York.

Stephens, who returned to competition at Wimbledon after nearly a year off because of a foot injury, recovered from a second-set meltdown to end ninth seed Williams's hopes of reaching a third major final this year.

Sloane Stephens

Sloane Stephens Photo: Photosport

She eventually won 6-1 0-6 7-5.

She will play 15th seed Madison Keys who trounced fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe in straight sets 6-1 6-2 in the other semi-final.

"I have no words to describe what I'm feeling what it took to get here. The journey I took. I have no words," said Stephens, who underwent foot surgery last February.

"If someone told me I'd make two semis and a grand slam final this year I would have passed out, which is what I feel like doing now.

"I don't know how I got here. Hard work, that's it."

The 24-year-old Stephens, 13 years younger than Williams, paid tribute to the seven-time grand slam champion.

"I'm honestly just honoured to play at the same time as her. One of the greatest to ever play our game. She's one of the greatest competitors and I'm honoured to share the court with her and glad to play at the same time as her.

"For American tennis there's no question marks. The proof is in the pudding. American tennis, here we are."

Venus Williams

Venus Williams Photo: photosport

"It was definitely a contrast of play," Williams said of the roller-coaster match.

"You know, I continued to play aggressive and continued to play the kind of match that it takes to win. Just made too many errors there at the end."