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NEW YORK. —Americans Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys, both struggling with serious injuries just three months ago, advanced to their first Grand Slam final at the US Open tennis tournament on Thursday.

Stephens, who missed 11 months with a left foot injury before returning in July, outlasted seven-time Slam champion Venus Williams 6-1, 0-6, 7-5. “I’m super happy to be in a Grand Slam final,” Stephens said.

“To do it here, my home slam, is obviously more special. I think this is what every player dreams about.” US 15th seed Keys, who had left wrist surgery for the second time in 10 months after a first-round French Open exit, routed US 20th seed CoCo Vandeweghe 6-1, 6-2 in 66 minutes to complete the first all-American US Open final since Serena Williams beat sister Venus in 2002.

“It still doesn’t feel real. I’m still shaking,” Keys said. “I played pretty well. There’s a lot of things in my head right now so I’m struggling to come up with words.

“I knew I had to rise to the occasion. I’m just happy to be in the final.” The friends and Fed Cup teammates will meet today at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the biggest match of either’s career for a top prize of $3.7 million. “I’ve known her for a long time. She’s one of my closest friends on tour,” Stephens said. “I love her to death. And it’s not easy playing a friend.” — AFP