Stephens helps friend Keys drown sorrows

Nerves make difference in one-sided women’s singles final at Flushing Meadows

Sloane Stephens was ready to help Madison Keys drown her sorrows after beating her close friend to win the US Open title.

The match between the two young Americans will be quickly forgotten, with Stephens handling the occasion significantly better and racing to a 6-3 6-0 victory in 61 minutes.

But what followed was a tremendous display of sportsmanship from two women who grew up together and have positioned themselves as not just the future but the now of American tennis.

They shared a long embrace at the net and, after Stephens had celebrated with her team in the stands, she returned and sat next to Keys at the side of the court, the pair smiling and laughing.

“I should just retire now,” said Stephens. “I told Maddie I’m never going to top this.

“Maddie’s one of my best friends on tour and I wouldn’t have wanted to play anyone else.

“I told her I wished it could have been a draw. If it was the other way round, I know she would have done the same for me.”

Keys admitted the nerves had got to her and she fought back tears as she said: “Sloane is truly one of my favourite people. To play her was really special. If there’s someone I had to lose to today, I’m glad it’s her.”

Given the bond between the two, it was no surprise that Stephens invited Keys to her celebrations or that her friend accepted – on one condition.

“She can buy me drinks, all of the drinks,” said Keys with a smile. “I’m really sad for me, but I’m so happy for her.”

In January a nagging foot injury forced Stephens, 24, to undergo surgery and left her unable to walk for 16 weeks.

She returned at Wimbledon two months ago and lost in the first round, her ranking slumping to 957. She then lost in the first round in Washington.

Fifteen wins out of 17 matches later, she walked off Arthur Ashe Stadium as tennis’ newest Grand Slam champion and $3.7 million richer.

At 83 in the rankings, Stephens is the fifth lowest-ranked woman to win a Slam title in the Open era and her ranking will now soar to 17.

Keys, too, has had injury problems and the pair exchanged text messages, commiserating each other during the Australian Open as they sat at home.

The 22-year-old had her second wrist operation of the year after the French Open and, put her great form in New York down to an ability to play freely.

But that deserted her in the final and the longer it went on, the worst it got. Keys, who had her right thigh heavily strapped, made 30 unforced errors compared to just six for her opponent.

She said: “I definitely think my play today came down to nerves and all of that, and I just don’t think I handled the occasion perfectly.

“I don’t think I was moving perfectly but, at the same time, I’m not going to take anything away from Sloane. I think she played really well.”

Picture: Getty. Sloane Stephens with the US Open trophy, which she won with a 6-3 6-0 win over friend Madison Keys.