US Open glance: Keys faces Stephens in all-American final
A quick look at the U.S. Open :
LOOKAHEAD TO SATURDAY
Madison Keys faces Sloane Stephens in the first all-American women's final at the U.S. Open since 2002. It will be the first Grand Slam title match for both. Keys is 22, Stephens is 24, and they have been close friends for years. "You figure out how to separate your friendship from being on the court," Keys said. "Obviously, both of us want to win. I think when we come off the court, we're able to leave what happens there and still have a great friendship off of the court." Both missed the Australian Open in January because of operations - Keys to her left wrist and Stephens to her left foot - and they were a combined 2-3 at Grand Slam tournaments in 2017 when the U.S. Open started. But they've been playing tremendously lately. Keys, a big hitter who relies on tough-to-touch serves and forehands, has won 12 of her last 13 matches; Stephens, whose speedy defense gives opponents fits, has won 14 of her last 16.
SATURDAY'S FORECAST
Sunny. High of 69 degrees (21 Celsius).
FRIDAY'S WEATHER
Sunny. High of 73 degrees (23 Celsius).
FRIDAY'S RESULTS
Men's singles semifinals: No. 1 Rafael Nadal beat No. 24 Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2; No. 28 Kevin Anderson beat No. 12 Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
Men's doubles final: No. 12 Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer beat No. 11 Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez 6-4, 6-3.
STAT OF THE DAY
32 - Anderson's ranking, the lowest for a U.S. Open men's finalist since the ATP computerized rankings began in 1973.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I was playing so-so at the beginning of the tournament, and I have been playing better and better every day." - Nadal, who will be seeking his third U.S. Open title and 16th Grand Slam championship overall when he faces Anderson in Sunday's final.
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