“It was just nice that all of the hard work and everything I’ve put into it – now I can say that I have a tournament title”, Stephens said.
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Ranked as high as 11th after her run in Melbourne, Stephens slumped in 2014 but has enjoyed a resurgence this year after rehiring Saviano, her longtime coach.
Black hadn’t dropped a set in her six previous matches, but Kenin was too consistent for her. In a much-publicized kerfuffle, Serena Williams reacted to her loss to Stephens by tweeting, “I made you”.
In speaking with the media later, Stephens talked about her long process to reach this important stage of her career.
Williams took the high road when asked about Stephens remarks, telling interviewers only that she likes to see African-Americans do well in tennis.
The media tends to make too much of the occasional disagreements these demanding A-type personalities have with each other.
Kei Nishikori already was going to enter the U.S. Open brimming with confidence, thanks to his runner-up finish there a year ago.
Stosur will face Sloane Stephens for a berth in the women’s final. She utilized her dazzling speed to track down several drop shots by Pavlyuchenkova and her formidable forehand to pound out most of her 21 winners. She’s never been given championship hardware at a professional tournament before.
“I think I executed my game very well today – it was just a really good day for me.”
Sloane Stephens chases after the ball against Anastasia…
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Stephens earned a WTA title for the first time Sunday, overwhelming Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russian Federation 6-1, 6-2 in the final of the hard-court Citi Open.
