US Open: Sloane Stephens to face friend Madison Keys in women's singles final
Young guns Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys are set to make their grand slam final debuts at the US Open this weekend, but it's not just American vs American, it's also mate vs mate.
After a decisive start to her semi-final against Venus Williams, Stephens came back from failing to win a single game in the second set to defeat the seven-time major champion 6-1, 0-6, 7-5.
Keys had an easier task in defeating compatriot CoCo Vandeweghe 6-1, 6-2 in the other semi-final to set up a her first grand slam final appearance against close friend, Stephens.
Anyone who follows the pair on social media will be familiar with their well-documented friendship.
Stephens, 24, and Keys, 22, grew up playing junior tennis together, they have played Fed Cup for the USA, and whenever possible on tour they try and get dinner together too.
"She's someone who I know is always there watching and she'll text me no matter what. We're always keeping tabs on each other and rooting for each other," Keys told media after her semi-final victory.
So how do they feel about facing off against one another at their home slam?
"It gets easier and easier as time goes on to play each other," Keys said.
"You figure out how to separate your friendship from being on the court. Both of us want to win and when we come off the court we're able to leave what happens there and still have a great friendship off the court."
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Achieving a grand slam final berth is an even more incredible feat for the two women considering earlier this year they were both sidelined with injuries. Keys missed the 2017 Australian Open due to wrist surgery while Stephens missed the stop Down Under to undergo foot surgery.
"I was just laughing and thinking who would have thought in Australia that Sloane and I would be the finalists at the US Open," Keys said.
"Neither one of us were playing at the time, both just having had surgery. So it's really amazing.
"I've known Sloane for a long time and she's a close friend of mine so to be able to play her and both of our first finals is a really special moment especially with everything we've gotten through this year."
