Announcer Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) def Victoria Azarernka -79- (BLR) | 63 64
The defending US Open Champion, Sloane Stephens was tested in Round-2 by surging Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina. On Wednesday, the World #113 managed to break Stephens 5-times, including twice in the first to take the early lead. 2-hours and 46-minutes later, Sloane fended off the near-miss with a dominant deciding set.
Sloane was much more efficient today against a 2-time US Open Finalist. Victoria Azarenka scored her first break in set-2, but that only got her back on-serve. Two games later, Vika broke again to take the lead…but light rain dismantled her momentum.
After a short delay to close the roof, Sloane broke right back and won three straight to close-out the match. Tough break for Azarenka who was locked-in before the interruption.
NEXT: [3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) vs [15] Elise Mertens -15- (BEL)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Victoria Azarernka -79- (BLR) 63 64 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def [Q] Anhelina Kalinina -113- (UKR) 46 75 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Evgeniya Rodina -80- (RUS) 61 75 | Louis Armstrong Stadium
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[3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA)
At 25-years-old, she is the defending US Open Champion. Last year – unseeded and ranked outside the top-80 – she captured her first Grand Slam Singles title right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating Venus Williams in the Semifinals, and Madison Keys in the Championship match. This year, she reached her SECOND Major Final at Roland Garros, and earned her 6th career WTA Singles title in Miami. A Finalist 3-weeks ago at the Rogers Cup US Open Series Event in Montreal, she comes into this year’s US Open with a career-high ranking of World #3. From Plantation, Florida – Please welcome 2017 US Open Champion…Sloane Stephens.
Victoria Azarernka -79- (BLR)
A 2-time Finalist here in New York, she is back on court at the US Open for the first time since 2015. She won her first Grand Slam Singles title at the 2012 Australian Open, defended her title in 2013, and held the World #1 ranking for a combined 46-weeks. She owns 20 career WTA Singles titles, and at the Summer Games in London, earned Olympic Bronze in Singles and Mixed Doubles Gold. During her comeback in 2016, she became one of only three women to win the Sunshine Double – capturing back to back titles at Indian Wells and Miami – and that December, became a Mom for the first time. 13-years-ago – at just 18-years-old – she captured her first Grand Slam title right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, teaming with Max Mirnyi to win her first Mixed Doubles title. From Belarus, please welcome 2012 and 2013 US Open Finalist…Victoria Azarenka.
