Sloane Stephens downs Jelena Ostapenko to claim Miami Open title
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 31: Sloane Stephens of the United States celebrates after defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the women's final on Day 13 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 31, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
US Open Champion Sloane Stephens beat Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets to win the Miami Open on Saturday.
American Stephens, claiming her first title since that famous win on Arthur Ashe court last year, claimed a 7-6(7/5) 6-1 win over her Latvian opponent.
Ostapenko, the French Open champion, made a mammoth 48 unforced errors during an uncharacteristically nervous performance – more than double the number made my Stephens – but that did not tell the whole story as Stephens dominated with her relentless defence.
A closely-fought first set that went to a tight tie-breaker was in stark contrast to the second, which Stephens cruised through to claim the title in the last Miami Open to be held at Crandon Park.
