NEW YORK, August 29, 2018
Sloane Stephens avoided a surprise exit in the second round of the US Open and found an extra gear to get past the World No. 134 Anhelina Kalinina 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. The 25-year-old US-American is certainly battle heartened as she comes through after two hours and 45 minutes. Stephens applauded her opponent off the court because she was well aware of how well the 21-year-old from the Ukraine played.
The defending champion next plays Victoria Azarenka, which could be an exceptional encounter. Azarenka eased past Daria Gavrilova from Australia 6-1, 6-2 in one hour and 22 minutes.
“I didn’t really think, you know, I’m going to get out as quick as possible in terms of time,” Azarenka said during her post-match press conference. “I was prepared to stay there as long as it needed to be. But it was good to see, like, the consistent level. There were no up-and-downs today. That’s what I’m more happy about.”
Thiem prevails
On Court 17, Dominic Thiem survived scare against US-American Steve Johnson, who finished runner-up at the Winston-Salem Open last Saturday. The 24-year-old Austrian won a topsy-turvy encounter 6-7, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours and 34 minutes.
Thiem will next play Taylor Fritz in a rematch of the 2017 US Open second round. The Austrian defeated the US-American 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 at last year’s event.
Stefanos Tsitsipas‘ US Open main draw debut ends at the second round stage as Daniil Medvedev of Russia progresses 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. You sense those two will have quite the rivalry as the years progress.
Medvedev will next challenge Borna Coric. The former Junior World No 1 is through to third round of the US Open for the second year running. The Croat defeated Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-3.
Notheworthy
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- Stan Wawrinka gained a four-set victory over France’s tenacious Ugo Humbert. The world No 139 provided a stern test but the greater experience of the three-time Grand Slam champion proved significant. The Swiss wild card won 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 and sets up an encounter with Milos Raonic, who defeated Gilles Simon in straight-sets.
- Elise Mertens eased past Vera Lapko 6-0, 6-2 to reach the third round and the Belgian 15th seed will face Barbora Strycova after the Czech thrashed Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena 6-0, 6-1.
- Seventh seed Elina Svitolina from the Ukraine progressed past Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-2, 6-3.
- No. 9 seeded German Julia Görges fell to Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 6-7810), 3-6 in one hour and 36 minutes.
- Change of Attire Policy:
US Open Statement on Change of Attire Policy pic.twitter.com/Kt7EcuPz1S
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 29. August 2018
Statement Benoit Paire:
Paire (info –
) (🎥Eurosport)
pic.twitter.com/INQaZlpwgf— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) 29. August 2018
