That’s all for now. You can follow our game-by-game of the CoCo Vandeweghe-Madison Keys semi-final here and do check back later for a full report off both of tonight’s matches.
The world No83 becomes the 14th unseeded player to advance to a major final in the Open era and only the fourth at the US Open. “I have no words to describe what I’m feeling,” an emotional Stephens says in an on-court interview. “What it took to get here, just the journey I’ve been on ... I have no words.
“When I started my comeback, if someone had told me I would have made two semi-finals and a grand slam final, I would have just passed out, which I’m ready to do now. I don’t even know how I got here. Just hard work.”
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Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 5-7 Stephens
Another long rally ends when Williams puts a forehand into the net – yet another unforced error – and Stephens is three points from the finish line. Williams responds with a backhand winner at the net for 15-all, but misses on a backhand for 30-15. Another missed backhand by Williams under duress gives Stephens a pair of match points. And another backhand error by Williams, this one of the unforced variety, gives Stephens the match! She raises both arms skyward and flashes a megawatt smile, through to her first ever grand slam final!
Stephens breaks in 11th game of third set!
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 5-6 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Stephens hits a sensational backhand lob winner, prompting a standing ovation. Then a tighly angled forehand winner after a Williams forehand caromed off a netcord. Suddenly, Williams is down love-30 and two points from the break. Williams then sends a forehand long for love-40 and Stephens will have three chances to break serve. She needs only one as Williams sprays a backhand wide early in the rally to give Stephens the break at love.
Third set: *Williams 1-6, 6-0, 5-5 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Another extended rally ends when Williams sends a forehand just wide, but she levels at 15-all with an angled forehand winner that practically runs Stephens off the court. Williams misses a forehand on the next point, but a Stephens backhand fails to clear the net and now, at 30-all, Williams is two points from a place in the final. Then Stephens gets the best of Williams in a 25-shot rally, ending it with a passing backhand down the line punctuated with a fist pump. Williams misses on a forehand and we’re level at 5-all!
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 5-4 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams wins the first point but then nets a backhand volley on a blazing Stephens backhand for 15-all. Stephens misses on a backhand, but then Williams commits her third double fault of the set (and sixth of the match) for 30-all. Now Williams makes an unforced error on the forehand to give Stephens a break-point chance at 30-40 ... and she saves it with an inside-out forehand winnner (at first called out but overruled by a Williams challenge). Deuce. Stephens then mishits a pair of backhands to give Williams the hold. Now Stephens will serve to stay in the match.
Williams breaks in eighth game of third set!
Third set: *Williams 1-6, 6-0, 4-4 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Williams is not going to give this one up without a fight. A lengthy rally on the first point ends when Stephens sends a backhand long. Then she falls behind love-30 on a forehand that sails past the baseline. But Williams responds with a pair of errors for 30-all. Stephens then nets a backhand volley with both players at the net and now Williams will have a break-point chance at 30-40 for a chance to level the set. Williams then pounces on a 62mph second serve and Stephens can hardly get a racket on the return.
Stephens breaks in seventh game of third set!
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 3-4 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams opens with a service winner, but mixes in an unforced forehand error for 15-all. Now another unforced error on the backhand, but follows it with a sharp backhand winner down the line for 30-all. A missed forehand by Williams gives Stephens a break point. Huge point coming up! But Stephens sends her return long and wide for deuce. Williams then dials in a 106mph service winner, but follows with another scratchy forehand for deuce again. Now another loose forehand by Williams at the end of a marathon game gives Stephens a second look at a break in this game, but she saves it again with a forehand winner. Williams then sends another forehand into the net, giving Stephens a third break chance. And this time Williams biffs a forehand volley and Stephens has a crucial break. Could that be the edge she needs to see her through to the final?
Third set: *Williams 1-6, 6-0, 3-3 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens quickly falls behind love-30 and the pressure builds. She comes to net and clobbers a forehand winner for 15-30, but Williams then ends a long rally with a massive forehand winner for double break point. Stephens saves the first with a forehand winner at the net, then the second with a backhand volley winner. Williams then makes an unforced error off the forehand, followed by a Stephens ace down the middle to secure the hold.
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 3-2 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Another long rally ends when Williams sends a cross-court forehand into the net. Then she overcooks an overhand smash, sending it long past the baseline for love-30. Williams digs out for 30-all with two quick points, but Williams sends a backhand long for 30-40 and Stephens has another look at a break point. Williams saves it with a booming 112mph ace, then a crowd-pleasing backhand volley winner for game point. She follows with a double fault for deuce, then Stephens chips in an pair of unforced errors off the backhand to give Williams the hold.
Williams breaks in fourth game of third set!
Third set: *Williams 1-6, 6-0, 2-2 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens makes a backhand error and Williams hits a forehand winner and suddenly Stephens is love-30 down. Now Stephens makes an unforced error off the backhand and Williams has three break-point chances to level up the set. Stephens saves the first when Williams misses by inches on a forehand – or not, as Hawk-Eye confirms – then the second on a missed backhand. Then a 19-stroke rally ends when Williams puts a backhand into the net and Stephens has saved all three for deuce. But Stephens then gets tight with a pair of unforced errors off the forehand and Williams has broken back! We’re on level terms in the decider at 2-all!
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 1-2 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
What a strange match. Williams, who couldn’t stop making errors in the first set then was lights out in the second, has reverted to first-set form. Two more unforced errors off the backhand side to fall behind love-30. Williams grinds out three quick short points before Stephens pulls one back for deuce. From there Williams hits a pair of service winners for the hold, but she remains down a break early in the deciding set.
Third set: *Williams 1-6, 6-0, 0-2 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens drops the opening point on a forced error, then goes blow for blow in the longest rally of the match before Williams misses an angled volley wide for 15-all. But then two quick unforced errors by Stephens and she’s in danger of giving the break right back. Stephens saves the first with a service winner, then the second at the end of a lengthy rally when Williams sends a shot past the baseline. Deuce. And now a pair of unforced errors from Williams give Stephens the much-needed hold to back up the service break.
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Stephens breaks in first game of third set!
Third set: Williams 1-6, 6-0, 0-1 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams opens with a double fault, but answers with a service winner and a forehand winner for 30-15. She makes an unforced error on the forehand side for 30-all, but then sends a forehand past the baseline to give Stephens’ a desperately needed break-point chance. Now Williams comes to net early in the point and puts a backhand volley into the net! An early break for Stephens in the decider!
Williams breaks in sixth game and wins second set!
Second set: Williams 1-6, 6-0 Stephens
At 15-all, a lengthy rally breaks out and Stephens ends it with big angled forehand winner from the baseline. Much better there from the underdog. Then Williams loads up on a backhand going for a winner but puts it in the net for 40-15. Williams comes in on the next point and tries a drop shot that Stephens retrieves, but Williams puts it away with a forehand volley winner. Stephens makes an error for deuce, but then hits a service winner for game point. Then Williams pushes Stephens almost off the court with a ferocious forehand, putting away the meek return with an easy forehand winner into the open court. Deuce. Now Stephens makes a bad error off a backhand and Williams has a break point for the set. A six-stroke rally ends when Stephens dumps a forehand into the net and Williams has the break and the set at love. We’re heading to a decider!
Second set: Williams 1-6, 5-0 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Another easy hold for Williams, who is cruising along here in the fifth. Now it’s Stephens gifting points left and right with unforced errors.
Williams breaks in fourth game of second set!
Second set: *Williams 1-6, 4-0 Stephens (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Williams hits a forehand winner, then Stephens makes an unforced error from the backhand side for 15-40. Two more break points for Williams. Stephens saves the first with a service winner, but Williams hits a backhand volley winner for the double break she’s off to the races in the second!
Second set: Williams 1-6, 3-0 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
And Williams consolidates the break with a love hold in just over a minute, capped when Stephens pounds a forehand into the net.
Williams breaks in second game of second set!
Second set: *Williams 1-6, 2-0 Stephens (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Williams steps into the court and hits a big forehand winner for 15-30, putting the pressure on Stephens. Now Williams hits a backhand winner for 15-40 and has a pair of break points. Stephens saves the first with a forehand winner into the open court from the baseline. But then Stephens double-faults and the momentum has swung clearly in the veteran’s favor!
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Second set: Williams 1-6, 1-0 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams hits a drop shot that appears to be a sure winner, but the fleet-footed Stephens manages to retrieve it and lob Williams for a winner! Sensational! The Williams makes another unforced error off the backhand side for love-30. Williams responds with a backhand winner, but double-faults again for 15-40. Double break point for Stephens. She saves the first with a big forehand winner, then the second when Stephens sends a backhand sailing. Stephens earns a third break chance with a clean cross-court backhand passing shot winner, but Williams saves it with a forehand winner down the line. Stephens then sprays a forehand wide, giving Williams game point, but Williams airmails a forehand for deuce. Williams hits a 111mph service winner, but is pinned to the baseline by a deep Stephens groundie and forced into an error for deuce once more. From there Williams rattles off two quick points for the hard-won hold. Venus starting to pick things up here, looking more comfortable in the rallies.
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Stephens wins first set!
First set: Williams 1-6 Stephens
And Stephens closes it out with authority, holding at love and closing it with with a booming service winner Williams can hardly get a racket on. Wow. Mostly just steady play from Stephens, who sat back and watched as a nervy Williams made one error after another throughout the opener.
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Stephens breaks in sixth game of first set!
First set: Williams 1-5 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Stephens opens with backhand winner, then Williams falls behind love-30 with her 14th unforced error of the match. Williams pulls one back with a service winner, but botches another forehand for 15-40 and Stephens will have a pair of break-point chances. And – oh dear! – Williams has double-faulted to gift Stephens the break! Stephens will now try to serve out the set.
First set: *Williams 1-4 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens hits a forehand winner then sits back as Williams again mishits a backhand for 30-love. Williams gets a point back but makes yet another unforced error, her 12th already and not even through the fifth game, for 40-15. Stephens nets a backhand for 40-30, but answers with a forehand winner to back up the break.
Stephens breaks in fourth game of first set!
First set: Williams 1-3 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams hits a service winner, followed by a big cross-court forehand winner for 30-love. But she quickly comes apart in a blur of unforced errors: three straight on backhands to set up the first break point of the match, then a badly hit forehand that gives Stephens the first break.
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First set: *Williams 1-2 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens hits another forehand winner but is forced into a forehand error for 15-all. Stephens then hits a service winner but mixes in an unforced backhand error from the baseline for 30-all. Short, staccato points. Venus makes another unforced forehand error. She’s really looked unsettled early on. But Stephens answers with one of her own for deuce, but rattles off two quick points for the hold.
First set: Williams 1-1 Stephens* (*denotes next server)
Williams falls behind love-30 on two more unforced errors, the first on a forehand and the latter on the backhand side. A whiff of opportunity for Stephens? But then dials in a 91mph ace, followed by a forehand winner into the corner and another 116mph ace down the middle. Then Stephens frames a forehand from the baseline and Williams has a hold from love-30 down.
First set: *Williams 0-1 Stephens (*denotes next server)
Stephens wins the first point with a forehand winner from the baseline, but follows it up with a double fault. Then Williams follows with three straight unforced errors off the backhand side to give Stephens the early hold.
The players are finished with their warm-ups and just about ready. We’ll pick it up with game-by-game coverage from here.
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s first US Open women’s semi-final between Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens. Incredibly, this marks the first time in the Open era where all of the top eight women’s seeds at a grand slam were eliminated by the quarters or earlier. What’s more, it’s only the sixth All-American last four at a major and the first in 32 years. (The others: the 1979 US Open, the 1981 US Open, the 1982 Australian Open, the 1983 Australian Open and Wimbledon in 1985.)
The 83rd-ranked Stephens is bidding to become the 14th unseeded player to advance to a major final in the Open era and only the fourth at the US Open, while ninth-seeded Venus is bidding to become the second oldest grand slam finalist in the Open era after Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994.
The players should be on court shortly for their warm-ups.
Bryan will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s how Sloane Stephens roared back to reach tonight’s semi-final:
She is the unlikeliest player in a most improbable last four but Sloane Stephens’ run to the business end of this year’s US Open feels in many ways right on schedule.
The 24-year-old is one of four American women through to Thursday night’s semi-finals after the top eight women’s seeds were eliminated by the quarters or earlier for the first time at a grand slam in the Open era. None of them, least of all the unseeded and unfancied Stephens, were favored to make it this far.
Now Stephens, the world No83, is one victory away from her maiden grand slam final. With a win over Venus Williams at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she would become only the fourth unseeded player to reach the US Open final since the majors allowed professionals to compete with amateurs in 1968.
Few could have imagined it at the start of August, when the Florida native was down to 957th in the world entering a tournament in Washington DC where she lost in the opening round. Stephens was still finding her form after a season-ending stress fracture last year that required surgery and an 11-month layoff, including nearly four months on a self-described “peg leg” when she was unable to put weight on her foot.
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