Sports Host Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) def [15] Elise Mertens -15- (BEL) | 63 63
In tennis, 5-of-9 break opportunities is a fine day at work. That’s the performance defending champion Sloane Stephens put-in tonight against World #15 Elise Mertens.
Truth: Mertens is not a harmless opponent. The 22-year-old won three of her four career titles this year alone, including two titles during an undefeated April. She reached her first Major Semifinal at the Australian Open. She’s a legit threat. Sloane simply did a better job attacking every ball and putting pressure on Elise’s serve.
On Tuesday, Arthur Ashe Stadium will see a rematch of last year’s Quarterfinal, where Sloane narrowly defeated Anastasija Sevastova in a deciding-set tiebreak.
NEXT: [3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) vs [19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT)
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def [15] Elise Mertens -15- (BEL) 63 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Victoria Azarenka -79- (BLR) 63 64 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def [Q] Anhelina Kalinina -134- (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 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.
[15] Elise Mertens -15- (BEL)
After a breakthrough season last year, this 22-year-old is having another remarkable run in 2018. She started the year by defending her title in Hobart, then – at the Australian Open – earned her first top-5 win, defeating Elina Svitolina to reach the Semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time. She went undefeated in the month of April – capturing 2-titles, winning both of her Fed Cup matches – and with her Round of 16 run at this year’s French Open, cracked the WTA’s top-15 for the first time. She now owns 4 WTA Singles titles and is competing in her 3rd US Open. From Leuven, Belgium – Please welcome…Elise Mertens.
