Stephens fights back to keep US Open title defence alive

Defending champion Sloane Stephens avoided an early US Open exit, recovering from a set down to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina 4-6 7-5 6-2 in round two.

Kalinina, 21, was the runner-up in the girls’ singles in 2014 and was playing in her first senior Grand Slam tournament after coming through qualifying.

She took advantage of errors from Stephens to win the first set and then fought back from 4-1 down in the second set to level at 5-5, but the American held firm to win her ninth successive match at Flushing Meadows.

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The third seed fired an ace on match point to complete the comeback, which took two hours and 46 minutes on another hot and humid day on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Stephens was one of several women’s seeds progressing to the last 32 at Flushing Meadows.

Seventh seed Elina Svitolina, No.8 seed and 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova, No.15 Elise Mertens, No 19 Anastasija Sevastova and No.23 Barbora Strycova all won in straight sets.

Serena and Venus Williams set up a blockbuster third-round clash after beating Carina Witthoeft and Camila Giorgi respectively, while Victoria Azarenka also progressed, courtesy of a 6-1 6-2 thumping of Daria Gavrilova.

Sloane Stephens comes through a tough test from Ukrainian qualifier Anna Kalinina to win 46 75 62. Tough conditions, tough opponent, and the defending champ comes through. Big boost. #USOpen

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 29, 2018

“I’m really happy with my level. I managed to stay consistent after a couple of months of many ups and downs,” Azarenka said.

“This year’s been an extremely hard year for me personally. I kind of jumped in when I wasn’t quite ready.

“The motivation is different, of course. I’m a mum off the court and I have big responsibilities to be the best mum I can be. But I’m still a tennis player and I still have my own personal goals and I feel that this can work together.”

Azarenka, twice a finalist at Flushing Meadows, will next face Stephens, who said the 10-minute break for the heat rule before the final set helped as she found the time to enjoy some sushi and a slushy, as well as change her clothing.

“I wasn’t playing my best,” said the 25-year-old.

“It was super hot and that was no fun at all. I was sweating a lot but I came out in the third set bouncing around.”