Announcer Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT) def [3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) | 62 63
Rematch. Last year, Sloane Stephens defeated Anastasija Sevastova in a grueling US Open Quarterfinal that came down to a deciding set tiebreak.
The American – at the time ranked World #83 – was finally back on Tour after foot surgery in January. In her first two events that Summer, she made Semifinal runs in Toronto and Cincinnati. Two matches after her victory over Sevastova, she captured her maiden Grand Slam title. Poetry.
Now the World #3 and defending US Open Champion, Sloane came into today’s match the favorite. She had SEVEN break chances by game-5 of the 1st-set, but Sevastova’s defense was exemplary. Sloane couldn’t punch-through. She struggled on serve herself, and allowed Sevastova breaks on Anastasija’s only two opportunities.
Stephens never truly found her service game in set-2, but finally converted on 2 more break chances. That said, Sevastova was relentless. The tenacious Latvian broke-back both times, capping the victory with 5 service-breaks in 8 opportunities.
With the win, Anastasija is through to the Semifinals of a Major for the first time. Redemption for last year’s crushing Quarterfinal loss.
NEXT: [19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT) vs [17] Serena Williams -26- (USA)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] QF: def [3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) 62 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def [7] Elina Svitolina -07- (UKR) 63 16 60 | Grandstand
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Ekaterina Makarova -45- (RUS) 46 61 62 | Grandstand
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Claire Liu -158- (USA) 63 61 | Court 13
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Donna Vekic -41- (CRO) 62 26 63 | Court 17
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[19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT)
Appearing in her 3rd consecutive US Open Quarterfinal, this 28-year-old always plays-up to the bright lights of New York City. On Sunday, she earned her 7th career top-10 victory, defeating World #7 Elina Svitolina to reach the Final Eight. Over the Summer, she was a Finalist in Mallorca, then captured her 3rd WTA Singles title in her 3rd consecutive Bucharest Final. Her’s is a story of remarkable perseverence. 5-years-ago, she retired from the game; but returned in 2015 with a fierce determination that catapulted her to a career-high ranking of #15 in the World. Competing in her 6th US Open, from Latvia – Please welcome…Anastasija Sevastova.
[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 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.
