TENNIS : UNSEEDED SLOANE STEPHENS WINS US OPEN FOR FIRST GRAND SLAM TITLE ; IS NEW ERA IN WOMEN'S TENNIS BORN?

TENNIS : UNSEEDED SLOANE STEPHENS WINS US OPEN FOR FIRST CAREER GRAND SLAM TITLE ; IS NEW ERA IN WOMEN'S TENNIS BORN?

It's a magical moment, unfolded in New York.

Sloane Stephens - - in a wheelchair some 8 months ago following a surgery - - has portrayed an incredible comeback story of triumph and tragedy, and won the US Open!

Just over a month ago, she was ranked World No. 957 - - seemingly a million miles away from winning a Grand Slam.

But suddenly, Sloane Stephens is the new US Open Champion!

Not only that, Sloane Stephens has to defeat her own best friend, Madison Keys, in the Finals to bring home the Championship Trophy - - and a very handsome check of USD $3.7 Million Dollars!

The Championship match itself was not epic (a lopsided 6-3; 6-0), but the human drama and emotion in it, is definitely one for the books.

The capacity crowd in New York's towering Arthur Ashe Stadium couldn't agree more.

With new faces now slowly emerging at Grand Slam podiums, is the new era in women's tennis already born?

Sloane Stephens has done it!

She's the #USOpen champion.

Her 1st Grand Slam in her 1st Grand Slam final

Reaction: https://t.co/eOmC1l6JSp pic.twitter.com/2ekl8nOsms
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 9, 2017

The moment a dream becomes a reality... @sloanestephens is on 🔝 of the tennis world! Send a 😄 for the newest #USOpen champion! #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:49pm PDT

A #USOpen title didn't look likely for Sloane Stephens when she first stepped out of a boot five months ago, but she walked and then ran all the way to her first Grand Slam ! http://ms.spr.ly/6182rvcuj
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

When perseverance and persistence pay off. Pure joy from the 2017 #USOpen women's singles champion, @sloanestephens! Send a 🏆 for her first career Grand Slam Title! #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:30pm PDT

Should we pinch you @sloanestephens? Your 💰 prize money is the real deal! #USOpen #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis #nevergiveup #womenwhoinspire
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 3:12pm PDT

😘🏆@SloaneStephens #USOpen pic.twitter.com/QcfSLwAcSY
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017

Champion!

American Sloane Stephens completes storied run, defeating Madison Keys in straight sets to win her first career major title. pic.twitter.com/qx4bWO8qw9
— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2017

40 days ago, @SloaneStephens was world No.957.

Now, she's a Grand Slam champion after beating Madison Keys in the US Open final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DSe8keuS0P
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 9, 2017

Q: Does this make you want to win another Grand Slam?

Sloane Stephens: Of course! Girl, did you see the check that lady handed me?! 

http://ms.spr.ly/6180rvcuG #USOpen
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

Just a beautiful moment at the net:@SloaneStephens and @Madison_Keys #USOpen pic.twitter.com/uRbDKCjRW9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017

Sloane Stephens has won the U.S. Open. Ranked 957th in women's tennis last month, she beat Madison Keys. https://t.co/EcVl15kAjh
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 9, 2017

JUST IN: Sloane Stephens defeats Madison Keys in straight sets to win U.S. Open title https://t.co/7eAuaH3uHO pic.twitter.com/RcQoXawMBC
— New York Post (@nypost) September 9, 2017

She's done it!

Sloane Stephens defeats Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 to win the 2017 #USOpen title! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/duYg6vE62o pic.twitter.com/z13jCMoV9S
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) September 9, 2017

"To share this moment on court is just amazing. I'm so happy that Maddy & I were able to play in the final today." @SloaneStephens #USOpen pic.twitter.com/8OGpRNDMSC
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017

She's back in the Top 20 and only has 10 ranking points to defend until August 2018! What can we expect from Sloane Stephens in the next 12 months? http://ms.spr.ly/6183rvcPh #USOpen
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

Sloane Stephens wins the U.S. Open, netting her 1st Grand Slam title https://t.co/GLrJJug1qR pic.twitter.com/DaxT8C9Oxk
— CP24 (@CP24) September 9, 2017

Sloane Stephens wins #USOpen for first Grand Slam title with victory over Madison Keys 🏆 pic.twitter.com/G5YOEElBH4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2017

What a touching moment at the net between 2017 #USOpen champion Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys 💗 https://t.co/YeUndBRUOA pic.twitter.com/Hx53K1NLUi
— SI Tennis (@SI_Tennis) September 9, 2017

Champions Chat: One-on-one with 2017 US Open women's champions Sloane Stephens
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

In March @SloaneStephens was in a wheelchair holding a Tennis Channel camera 🎥

Today she’s holding the #USOpen trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rOcY0RNSGr
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 9, 2017

.@SloaneStephens is the #USOpen champion!

6-3, 6-0 over Madison #Keys - a lengthy hug at the net.

What a performance from Sloane. pic.twitter.com/4qqeOfUUOB
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 9, 2017

Sloane Stephens entered the #USOpen at No. 83 in WTA rankings. She leaves it as No. 17 – and as champion! pic.twitter.com/38wnpZS2lt
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 9, 2017

When you see a $3.7 million winner's check coming your way...

http://ms.spr.ly/6182rvcPK #USOpen
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

Ladies and Gentleman, our ladies 2017 @USOpen winner @SloaneStephens #USOpen pic.twitter.com/QSQBvz2a95
— Tie Break Tens (@tiebreaktens) September 9, 2017

Sloane Stephens defeats Madison Keys in first all-American women's U.S. Open final since 2002 https://t.co/NVfGoBLyNy pic.twitter.com/uaxyxvI7FE
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) September 9, 2017

20 years & counting!

Arthur Ashe Stadium has hosted some unforgettable  at the #USOpen. IBM Sports breaks it all down and takes us back. 
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

"I should retire now. I told Madison I'd never be able to top this." 

We have a feeling this won't be the last time...
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Saturday, 9 September 2017

@sloanestephens has done it! She wins in Arthur Ashe 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 to advance to her first #USOpen final! Send a 🇺🇸 if you're pumped for Sloane! #wta #tennis #sports #ustennis #usta #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #newyorkcity #instasport
A post shared by USTA (@usta) on Sep 7, 2017 at 6:49pm PDT

Respect at the net: @sloanestephens and Madison Keys embrace after a hard fought match and a successful tournament for the Americans #USOpen #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis #madisonkeys
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 4:36pm PDT

Your 2017 Women's Champion, @sloanestephens 🙌 #espn #espntennis #usopen #stephens #champion #wta
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT

From sidelines to silverwear. @sloanestephens with the biggest moment yet in her tennis career. Send your congratulations to the winner of the 2017 #USOpen women's singles title! #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis #nevergiveup #womenwhoinspire
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:54pm PDT

Champion! @sloanestephens wins her first ever Grand Slam title in straight sets! Send Sloane a 🇺🇸🏆 for her amazing run at the #USOpen! @sloanestephens takes the first set 6-3 in Arthur Ashe and is one set from the 🏆! Send a 🇺🇸 if she'll win her first Grand Slam! #USOpen #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis
A post shared by USTA (@usta) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

In front of a home crowd looking to celebrate the pinnacle of domestic women’s #tennis, last night’s @usopen semifinals featured an all-American quartet that was reduced to a duo, after @sloanestephens and @madisonkeys advanced to an improbable final. It began with the unseeded @sloanestephens, who was ranked 934th on the women’s tour less than 2 months ago, barging her way in with an impressive demonstration of nerve and desire and ousting the 2-time champion @venuswilliams in the first semifinal. Then No. 15-seeded @madisonkeys played near-flawless tennis to overpower No. 20 @cocovandey, setting up the first #USOpen final between 2 American women since @serenawilliams beat Venus in 2002. Back in January, when @madisonkeys was recovering from the first of 2 wrist surgeries and #Stephens was immobilized on her couch after surgery to repair a fracture in her left foot, the 2 players lamented their plights as they texted back and forth. “I was actually just laughing and thinking, ‘Who would have thought in Australia that Sloane and I would be the finalists at the U.S. Open?’” Keys said. #regram from @nytchangster, who took this photo of #SloaneStephens after her victory last night. Visit the link in our profile to read more. #🎾
A post shared by The New York Times (@nytimes) on Sep 8, 2017 at 6:32am PDT

2017 US OPEN CHAMPION #GRATEFUL
A post shared by Sloane Stephens (@sloanestephens) on Sep 9, 2017 at 3:42pm PDT

@sloanestephens seized the day🏆. We have a first time #USOpen champion. Sloane defeats Keys 6-3, 6-0. ( 🎥 @visualsbypierre ) #wta #tennis #sports #grandslam #sloanestephens #arthurashestadium #instasports #instatennis #champion #AmericanMade
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:23pm PDT

#NetGeneration Kids on Court: Ariana Pursoo, 11 from Ariana Pursoo from Westbury, NY, was escorted on court by @billiejeanking. Ariana began playing tennis at age 4. The highlight of her summer was competing in the #USTA Team Zone Championships and she is currently ranked 21 in Girls 12 Eastern. Join the movement NetGeneration.com. (📸by @iamcesarin) __ #PlayforLife #tennis #kidstennis #youthtennis #instacool #playyourway #instanews #usopen
A post shared by USTA (@usta) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

Today is the day. @madisonkeys and @sloanestephens take the court for the Women's Championship. Predictions? #espn #espntennis #usopen #wta #stephens #keys
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 9, 2017 at 1:14pm PDT

#KatieHolmes continues her good mood streak and had the time of her life at the #VenusWilliams v #SloaneStephens match of the US Open Championships 🎾 (📸: @gettyimages)
A post shared by POPSUGAR Celebrity (@popsugarcelebrity) on Sep 8, 2017 at 1:52pm PDT

That moment when you win your first Major title. @sloanestephens #espn #espntennis #usopen #stephens #champion #wta
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:30pm PDT

Competitors. Countrywomen. Friends. @sloanestephens @madisonkeys #espn #espntennis #usopen #wta #stephens #keys
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:36pm PDT