Defending champion Sloane Stephens stays the course at US Open
Sloane Stephens produced another solid display to stay on course to successfully defend her US Open title.
The third seed proved too good for Elise Mertens as she secured a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the Belgian to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Sealed with a forehand 🚀!@SloaneStephens blasts her way past Mertens 6-3, 6-3 to reach the QF…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/EJWYf152h9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2018
Stephens broke a couple of times in the opening and three times in the second, although the 15th seeded Mertens did have the consolation of breaking the American once in each set.
Next up for Stephens is Anastasija Sevastova after the Latvian upset seventh seed Elina Svitolina from Ukraine 6-3, 1-6, 6-0.
“Obviously it won’t be easy,” Stephens said. “Quarter-finals of a Grand Slam is always really tough. A big opportunity for both of us. Being defending champion, being able to get to the quarter-finals again, is incredible.
“I’m just going to try to keep building on that and keep going.”
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Australian OpenNovak Djokovic explains why ‘bad memory’ has left him indecisive about competing at 2022 Australian Open
“Currently, the situation is not good at all.”
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu hailed as an ‘inspiration’ as Ana Bogdan reveals they ‘are both fans of Daniel Ricciardo’
“She is a great athlete and a great champion, I’m looking forward to the match.”
-
Tennis NewsAndy Murray gives his assessment after his Vienna Open exit, saying he needs to be ‘little bit more ruthless’
“I will start winning more and have some deep runs,” says determined Andy Murray.
-
ATP Tour‘He is another level’ – Nick Kyrgios sings Jannik Sinner’s praises as Italian continues impressive form
Nick Kyrgios impressed by Jannik Sinner.
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu hoping to delay family visit as she targets progress in Romania
Raducanu is planning to visit her grandmother during her stay in Romania.
-
ATP TourAndy Murray fails to pull another rabbit out of the hat in Vienna as he is beaten by Carlos Alcaraz
Murray lost to the 18-year-old in straight sets.
-
WTA TourSimona Halep dismisses retirement rumours, saying: ‘I never said I would stop playing after the wedding party’
“I’m still motivated and still love tennis,” says Simona Halep.
-
Tennis NewsAlexander Zverev plays down Stefanos Tsitsipas snub as he names his current top hard-court players
No place for Stefanos Tsitsipas in Alexander Zverev’s list of top-three hard-court players.
-
Tennis NewsWATCH: Andy Murray on being bossed around by his children and why he was ‘very jealous’ of Emma Raducanu
Andy Murray plays a game of Q&A.
-
Australian OpenAnother day of contradictory messages about vaccination stance for the 2022 Australian Open
No one is quite sure what the official Australian Open stance is on unvaccinated players.