IN A US Open women’s singles event full of upsets and surprises, the most unexpected outcome of them all was the success of the American contingent. For the first time in 36 years, all four of the semi-finalists hailed from the host country. And in a departure from the results of the last 19 years, the American flag was flown for a champion other than Serena or Venus Williams. The finalists, the 24-year-old Sloane Stephens and 22-year-old Madison Keys, are at the forefront of a new generation of American stars poised to take over from the Williams sisters. On September 9th, both were contesting their first major final, and Ms Stephens easily defeated her close friend, 6-3 6-0.
Ms Stephens’s career trajectory has been far from smooth. In 2013 she seemed poised for greatness, when she beat Serena Williams and reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open at the age of 19. But she then struggled to follow up that early...Continue reading