NEW YORK — Venus Williams‘ incredible Grand Slam season ended without her first major title in nine years. Instead, a younger American will win her first Slam at the U.S. Open on Saturday.
An inconsistent Williams fell to speedy Sloane Stephens 1-6, 6-0, 7-5 in the first of two all-American semifinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night. Stephens won 10 of the last 11 points in a 73-minute last set after being two points away from defeat.
Stephens, into her first major final in her fifth event back from foot surgery, will play another first-time finalist, either Madison Keys or CoCo Vandweghe, for the championship.