Reigning champion Sloane Stephens has resumed her winning run at the US Open with a 6-1, 7-5, win over Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina in the first round.
Stephens, 25, required just 78 minutes to get past her Russian opponent. Bidding to become only the fourth woman within the past 20 years to defend a title at Flushing Meadows, the American third seed dominated the match from the onset. Producing a display that consisted of 24 winners to 22 unforced errors as she convert four out of five break point opportunities.
“I just tried to stay calm and play my game. I upped my game a bit at 5-5 (in the second set) and I’m really pleased with that. I’m happy to get through.” Stephens said during her on-court interview.
Saving four break points in the first game of the match, Stephens soon established her dominance on court as she claimed seven games in a row to lead world No.80 Rodina 6-1, 2-0. It wasn’t until the business end of the match where the American faltered. Rodina managed to break back to draw level at 4-4 in the second set. Despite the blip, Stephens managed to increase her intensity to thwart the threat on the newly built Louis Armstrong stadium.
“I’m so honoured to be able play on this court on the first day.” Stephens commented about the new addition to the US Open.
“It’s a beautiful court. Very loud and noisy, but that is what we like. It was an awesome day for me.”
“I’m just happy to get the win and I’m excited to get the US Open started.”
Stephens will next take on Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina, who moved into the second round after her opponent, Kathinka von Deichmann, retired whilst trailing 2-5 in the final set.
Venus fights back
On the Arthur Ashe stadium, Venus Williams celebrated the 21st anniversary of her US Open debut with a marathon triumph over Svetlana Kuznetsova.
In what was the battle of the grand slam champions, Williams held her nerve to prevail 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, in a roller coaster encounter. The American had two match points in the second set, but failed to close it out. Resulting in an hour-long deciding set to take the match duration to five minutes shy of the three-hour mark.
“It’s not an easy match when you are playing a former US Open champion in the first round.” Said Williams.
“We’ve had a lot of competitive matches and it seems like she (Kuznetsova) played her best when I was up. So it wasn’t easy to close that match out. I have so much respect for her and I’m just happy to close the match out.”
Claiming her 77th main draw win in New York, Williams won 53% of her service points and hit a total of 47 winners. She will play Italy’s Camila Giorgi in the second round.
