American Stephens beats four Grand Slam champions to claim Miami Open title

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In the first meeting of reigning US Open and Roland Garros champions, American Sloane Stephens capitalized on Latvian Jelena Ostapenko‘s unforced errors to win the Miami Open 7-6(5) 6-1.

The first set opened with four breaks of serve and ended with a total of eight, with Stephens scraping through thanks to Ostapenko’s 29 unforced errors. The sixth-seeded Ostapenko immediately broke Stephens in the second set, but that was the last game the 13th-seeded American lost. In the entire match Stephens hit just six winners and won 57% of her first serve point, but Ostapenko piled up 48 unforced errors, albeit many as a result of Stephens’ superb defense, and won just 39% of points on first serve.

En route to her first Miami title, Stephens defeated as many as four Grand Slam champions in a row — Garbine Muguruza, Angelique Kerber, Victoria Azarenka and Jelena Ostapenko. The result, which extends her win-loss record in WTA finals to 6-0, will propel her to a career-high ranking of No.9.

Stephens’ winning apparel: the Nike Spring Dry Slam Tank in crimson tint and the black Nike Summer Pure Flex Woven Short.

This was the last final held at Crandon Park, as the tournament moves to Hard Rock Stadium next year.

1 COMMENT

  1. She finally looked like a true tennis champion out there: chasing down & returning many balls, on fire forehand, adding variety to shots, rapid foot speed, repeat fist pumps/yells, positive body language, playing smart tennis, taking coach’s advice, and never giving up attitude. 2nd set was all Sloane Stephens; Jelena was just no match for her at that point. “Congrats, beautiful Sloane! Keep hustling, never give up, remain consistent.”

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