Stephens after losing to Keys: "A great atmosphere and a great experience".

While all the attention in Charlotte was focused on the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe, two American players clashed just before on the same court.

In a remake of the 2017 US Open final, Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys battled it out, but in the end it was the higher-ranked of the two, Keys, who prevailed (7-5, 6-3).

In the aftermath of the match, Stephens spoke of her friendship with the WTA world No. 21, including her recent marriage to Björn Fratangelo.

"Having the opportunity to play with Madison is always a lot of fun. We both changed our serve, I don't know if anyone noticed.

I was a bit nervous at first, it's the first time I've tried it. In any case, there was a great atmosphere and it was a great experience," began the 2018 French Open finalist.

"Björn and Madison have been together for a long time. When one of your closest friends gets married and you attend the ceremony, it makes the moment even more special.

Every time I spotted her at the wedding, the tears were flowing and I told myself I wasn't going to be close to her, and everything was going to be fine.

As tennis players, we've always been super-connected, but that's also the case off the court," she concluded on the court.