Sloane Stephens capped off a tremendous comeback to the sport of tennis with a dominating 6-3, 6-0 win against Madison Keys to win the US Open – her maiden major title. Stephens had missed over 11 months with a foot injury before making a return earlier this summer.

In the first set, both players began strongly on their service games as the two strong-strikers peppered the ball. But it was Stephens’ defense that presented the first opportunity of the match. With Keys serving at 2-2, Stephens took control of an inconsistent service game to earn a break. Stephens played brilliant defense and her groundstrokes were clean, which seemed to forced Keys to seek targets closer to the lines. The result was 17 unforced errors in the set as opposed to just two from Stephens, who added a second break to take the set.

Keys began the second set continuing to search for her top-form but more errors crept into her game and she quickly found herself in a hole as Stephens showed poise and a calmness, earning a quick service break.  The 24-year-old controlled the play with consistent play, taking her shots when open, but refusing to force shots. It was that strategy that helped build a 3-0 lead in the set. And with Keys desperately trying to stay in the set, Stephens continued to force Keys to convert high-risk shots. She would gain a second service break to go to 4-0.

Keys would make one last-ditch effort in the final games of the set as she gained a 0-40 advantage. But Stephens continued her high-quality tennis and fought off the break. Then with Keys serving at 0-5, she struck some of the best shots of the match, but once again, Stephens would not be denied as she put an exclamation mark on a clean, high-level brand of tennis. She broke Keys’ serve once more to earn the win.

Stephens appeared stunned after the final point before she approached the net and embraced her friend.

She would yield just 6 unforced errors in the match while forcing her opponent into 30. Stephens appeared much more comfortable with the occasion while Keys could never consistently find her A-game.

Stephens reflected afterward, “I had surgery January 23,” Stephens said. “If someone told me then that I'd win the US Open, 'It's impossible,' I would say. 'It's absolutely impossible.' My journey to get here, coming back, just being able to keep it all together and have such a great team behind me – this journey's been incredible. And I honestly wouldn't change it for the world.”

She talked about her friend afterward, “Honestly I wouldn't have wanted to play anyone else,” Stephens said. “For us both to be here is such a special moment. I told her I wish there could be a draw, because I wish we could have both won. I think that if it was the other way around she would do the same for me. I'm going to support her no matter what, and I know she's going to support me no matter what. To stand with her today is incredible. That's what real friendship is.”

When the disappointment of the loss fades, Keys will surely look back on her run with pride. In a year when she missed significant time and had surgery, she played her best at the final slam of the year.

Meanwhile, Stephens, who was ranked lower than 900 in the world upon her return, will look to finish the season strong and carry the momentum into Australia next season where she will now become labeled a favorite at tournaments that lie ahead.