In only her fifth tournament since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, Sloane Stephens has reached her first US Open semifinal following a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) win over Anastasija Sevastova.
A lot has happened since the former world No.11 last played at Flushing Meadows back in 2011. A troublesome foot injury required surgery, forcing Stephens out of action for 11 months. She only returned back to practice in May this year prior to returning to the tour at Wimbledon. Now, after playing only her 13th match of the season against Sevastova, she finds herself in her second grand slam semifinal and first since 2013.
“This is just incredible, honestly. When I started my comeback at Wimbledon I could have never even dream of having something like this happening, having these results.” Stephens told ESPN. “It’s indescribable.”
Gracing her presence on the Arthur Ashe court, the 24-year-old featured in a match with more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco. Initially it appeared as if Stephens would eased to a straight sets lead. Sevastova appeared flat in her shot-making and underwent a medical timeout for her leg. It was a far from perfect start from the Latvian player, who dropped her first two service games and consequently the opening set.
Cheered on by her home crowd, Stenphens’ task of maintaining the momentum was far from straightforward. Sevastova’s drop-shots and redeveloped game plan resurrected her chances during the second set. Providing food for through to the American. Trailing 1-2, Stephens went behind for the first time after a backhand shot on break point drifted long, handing Sevastova the 3-1 lead. The American tried to keep within contention of clinching the match in straight sets, but the damage was already done, prompting a decider to be played.
With a place in the last four at stake as well as $450,000 in prize money, the end of the match was on a knife edge. Both players had their chances to pull away for the win. Sevastova was the first to pounce in the decider when she broke for a 3-1 lead. Then it was Stephen’s turn to hit back as the continuous changes of momentum delighted the crowd in New York. Four breaks came and went before a tiebreaker decided the entire match.
Once again both struggled with their serve, but it was the unseeded American who triumphed. Two points away from victory, a Sevastova unforced error moved her closer towards the finish line. The milestone triumph when then completed in style with a Stephens double-handed backhand winner down the line.
“I just told myself to keep fighting. I have been playing so well and so consistently.” Stephens commented about the closing stages of the match. “I have been staying so calm on the court and I knew if I stuck with it. I just played my gamed and continued to stick in every point. I was going to have a chance and opportunity. That’s just what I did.”
The realisation
Hitting 31 winners in the match, the world No.83 has become the seventh player ranked outside the top 50 to reach the last four in New York since the rankings began. Furthermore, she is the 25th unseeded player to do so. It is a fairy tale outcome for a player who was recently doubting the future of her career.
“A month ago, before I started winning a lot of matches, I was really worried because I was worried about my protected ranking and not having (played) enough tournaments. Not being able to play. There were just so many things I was worried about.”
The turning point was sparked by a realisation the 24-year-old had about life in general.
“Once I just realised that I have it good, my life is good, I play tennis and I have fun every day. That just relieved a lot of stress and I was finally able to play, and play loose. Play my game and then ‘BAM’ here I am.” She said.
Stephens will play either Venus Williams or Petra Kvitova in the next round.
