Prior to last week’s Citi Open in Washington DC, Sloane Stephens had the most unwanted record on tour – she was the only player in the top-40 that had never made a WTA final.

Before Eugenie Bouchard, Garbine Muguruza, Belinda Bencic and the likes had their breakout moments; it was Stephens who was burdened with the role of ushering in the new generation after she shocked Serena Williams en route to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2013.

But many youngsters came through after that and went on to capture their first WTA trophies while Stephens’ “Career Highlights” section on the tour website – which shows a player’s titles won and finals reached – remained empty.

That was until the 22-year-old American reached the final in DC last Sunday, where she beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to finally clinch her maiden WTA crown.

It could prove a timely boost for Stephens ahead of the US Open and now that the monkey is off her back, this could be the first of many more titles for her.

TROUBLING NEWS
Petra Kvitova revealed in Toronto this week that she has been diagnosed with mononucleosis which would explain the fatigue she has been struggling with this season and the several bouts of flu she’s had to battle.

Mono has taken out many tennis players over the years and it’s surprising to see that Kvitova is continuing to play while she has it. Obviously, she is being advised by doctors who know what they are talking about but it hardly seems wise to keep competing while fighting mono.

Considering the US Open is Kvitova’s least successful major, the Czech might end up pulling out if she fails to get better by then.

KING KEI
What’s the best way to bounce back from injury? Winning a title the first week you return. Last year’s US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori left Wimbledon last month with a sad, unsure, look on his face after having to withdraw ahead of his second round due to a calf injury.

The Japanese however came back last week only to win the title in DC. Five of Nishikori’s 10 career titles have come in the United States – the Japanese’s adopted home – and it’s also the site of his finest grand-slam triumph.

So it’s great to see he’s fit again ahead of what could be another successful run at the Open.