There are many ways to win a tennis match. During this year’s US Open, USOpen.org will be playing a numbers game, digging deeper into the statistical analysis of select matches to provide highlights, further insights and data points on player performance.
Sloane Stephens won the US Open 2017 final rematch against Madison Keys in Arthur Ashe stadium. However, it was a much closer affair on this occasion, with Stephens winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-6.
Not many players can find a way to win a match when their opponent wins 11 more points than them. (Keys' 102 vs. Stephens' 91).
There are even fewer players who can win when their opponent comprehensively dominates the contest. To understand who is dictating, we analyze the percentage players spent in offense, neutral, and defense.
Keys in offense: 28%
Both players in neutral: 53%
Stephens in offense: 19%
However, Sloane Stephens is not like many players.
The Sloane Stephens blueprint.
When Stephens won the US Open title in 2017, she was in the top two for the following statistics:
- Points won when both players were at the baseline
- Points won from a defensive situation in the point
Both of these Stephens strengths were on show in Arthur Ashe stadium.
In sets 1 and 3, Stephens won a commanding 59% (46/79) of baseline points.
In set 1, Stephens won an incredible 57% of points from a defensive situation. To understand how impressive the Stephens defense was, you can compare it to the average of 35%.
How does Stephens win so many points from the baseline, even when in defense?
Stephens chooses to play from a deeper court position, striking 46% of her groundstrokes beyond 2m of the baseline, almost double the average of 24%.
This deeper position allows Stephens more time to use her phenomenal athleticism, reaching shots that others would not be able to. Or as Stephens summarized it in her post-match on-court interview, “Do what I do best: compete, run around, make balls and really stick to my game plan."
