Caribbean Sports Round-Up – Trinidad-Roots Sloane Stephens Upsets Venus Williams To Claim US Open Finals Spot

loane Stephens of the United States celebrates after defeating Venus Williams of the United States in their Women’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sloane Stephens defeated Venus Williams in 3 sets with a score of 6-1, 0-6, 7-5. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

By NAN Sports Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Sept. 8, 2017: Trinidad-roots, Plantation, Fl-born Sloane Stephens last night created one of the major upsets at the US Open this year, as she beat her idol Venus Williams to claim a spot in the women’s finals of the competition.

Stephens, who spent a lot of time with her grandfather, who grew up poor in Trinidad, then won a scholarship to Howard University and became a doctor in the United States, reached her first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open at the expense of seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams.

Stephens, who sat out 11 months with a left foot stress fracture until this year’s Wimbledon, captured a 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 win in a 2-hour, 7-minute semifinal victory over Williams on Thursday night.

She’ll now face 15th seed Madison Keys in an all-American final.

“I have no words to describe what it took, what I’m feeling, the journey I took to get here,” said the 24-year-old Stephens, who wiped away a few tears after the match. “I have no idea (how I got here). Your guess is just as good as mine.”

West Indies Bowled Out On First Test Day At Lord’s

The West Indies cricket team were bowled out for just 123 at Lord’s Thursday in only the opening day of their first test match.

England’s Ben Stokes took a Test best 6-22 in a superb 14.3-over spell of swing bowling either side of tea, after the tourists opted to bat in overcast conditions.

But as the Brits took the pitch, the Windies bowlers managed to keep them in check at 46 for four at end of play. The English squad now trail the first innings total by 77 runs.

The series is perfectly poised at 1-1 after West Indies, who last won a series in England in 1988, chased down 322 to win by five wickets at Headingley.

Hurricane Irma Forces Postponement Of North American Soccer League

The North American Soccer League has been forced to reschedule its matches as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida.

“In any situation like this, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our players, coaches, staff members, fans, and their families,” NASL Interim Commissioner Rishi Sehgal said earlier this week. “We hope that everyone is able to stay safe during this difficult time.”