MIAMI, March 31, 2018
US-American Sloane Stephens defeated Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, who had not dropped a set all tournament until that point, 7-6(5), 6-1 in a battle of Grand Slam champions to win the Miami Open by Itaú.
In Saturday’s singles final, the first ever meeting between the pair, the No. 13 seed from Florida capitalized on seven of her eight break point chances to prevail after one hour and 31 minutes.
.@SloaneStephens claims the @MiamiOpen crown!
Downs Ostapenko, 7-6(5), 6-1! #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/TiiOM2BhNC
— WTA (@WTA) 31. März 2018
One year ago, both players were ranked outside the top 60. Reigning French Open champion Ostapenko was No.64 and an injured Stephens had slipped to No.69.
Stephens consolidates her top 10 debut on Monday with her first title since the US Open. The 25-year-old has now won all six WTA finals she has competed in. She earns $1,340,860 in prize money as well as 1,000 WTA ranking points.
“You guys stink sometimes, but you make me better” – the ever-charming @SloaneStephens gives her thanks during her @MiamiOpen champion’s speech pic.twitter.com/JIzk4DKpzR
— WTA (@WTA) 31. März 2018
