Stephens will play against Keys in the final at Flushing Meadows

Photo: Adam Hunger / Associated Press
The American Sloane Stephens

New York — American Sloane Stephens won 6-1, 0-6, and 7-5 against Venus Williams on Thursday evening, setting the table for a final against her compatriot Madison Keys tennis International of the United States.

“It took me a lot of aggressiveness, perseverance,” said Stephens, who became the fourth player in non-ranked of the modern era to make it to the final of a Grand Slam tournament.

Stephens has won this duel american in two hours and seven minutes, when Williams was weakly returned a service in the net. Stephens had shown what wood it is heated by smashing her rival at zero in the 11th game.

It will have as rival in the final Keys, who defeated another American Coco Vandeweghe in two sets of 6-1 and 6-2 in 65 minutes in the other semi-final featured in the evening on the court of Arthur Ashe stadium.
 

“I think I played well tonight,” said Keys, rather modest.

It took 25 hits and committed only nine unforced errors. Keys has also never been faced with a ball of breakage, and it took just over an hour to confirm his participation in the final.

This game could have been even shorter, except that Keys has left the field to receive a bandage at the top of the right thigh when she led 4-1 in the second set.

This is the first time that two female players in the u.s. will compete in the final at Flushing Meadows since 2002, or since the duel between Venus and Serena Williams.

Photo: Andres Kudacki Associated Press
Madison Keys (on our photo) defeated the American Coco Vandeweghe in two sets of 6-1 and 6-2.

At the age of 37, Williams was attempting to become the oldest player of the modern era to win a major tournament since 1968. She also attempted to reach the third final of a Grand Slam tournament this season, a feat that she had done it 15 years ago. His career has been marked by success : Williams was involved in his first final in New York to its first participation, in 1997. Stephens was then aged 4 years.

“I’m just honored to have been able to face up to it, because it is one of the greatest players in the history of it,” said Stephens, who has accompanied and spectators applauded Williams as she left the ground.

“I don’t have enough well-played. It was one of those moments where you have to tap into your reserves and hit good shots to win a big game. I couldn’t be rough and try things to put the ball in play, ” explained Williams. She has obviously seen him play many times. I have not been able to do the same. “

Each player earned five breaks. Stephens was, however, limited to 27 unforced errors, compared with 51 for Williams, who also committed six double faults.

Stephens has been selective and very effective in its mounted at the net, scoring the point eight times out of 11. Williams converted only 42 percent of its opportunities of its kind (10 of 24).

“Venus knows that she has to let pass a great opportunity, said his coach, David Witt, because she had. She had, at the end of his racket. “

It was the first time in 36 years that the players who were part of the four aces to the International of the United States came from the host country, and as a result the audience seemed torn on the identity of their favorite.