Stephens gets her revenge over Mertens
Defending champion Sloane Stephens eased into the quarter-finals of the US Open with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Belgian Elise Mertens yesterday morning (Singapore time).
Stephens, who has not dropped a set in four matches at Flushing Meadows this year, lost to Mertens at the Cincinnati warm-up last month but was never in danger of suffering a repeat as she wrapped up the win in 1hr 26min.
"(Mertens) beat me two weeks ago so I knew that I had to come here and fight and do my best," Stephens said.
"I played a solid match so I couldn't really ask for any more."
The American struck 17 winners and controlled play from the baseline, ran relentlessly to extend the points, dominated in the longer rallies and was also helped by her opponent's struggles on serve.
"I think just like I always say, get your racket on it, make a play on the ball, make your opponent play an extra ball," Stephens told reporters.
"That's the most important thing to me.
"Sometimes, it doesn't have to be the best shot, but making them play another shot, you might get another opportunity. I worked really hard on that."
Next up for Stephens, who at No. 3 is the highest seed left in the women's draw, is a repeat of last year's quarter-final against Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.
Serena Williams survived a scare from giant-killer Kaia Kanepi to claim a rollercoaster 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 win and move into the quarter-finals, a step closer to a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title.
"I feel like just getting through it in general was all I'm looking at now and not looking back and just moving towards the next match," offered a relieved Williams.
She is safely through to the last eight at Flushing Meadows for a 15th time.
Next up for Williams is a quarter-final meeting with eighth seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova.
Pliskova advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over 18th seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia. - REUTERS
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