Cool Sevastova ends reign of Stephens
DEFENDING champion Sloane Stephens became the latest big name to fall at the US Open, exiting the tournament last night.
In stiflingly hot conditions, the American went down 6-2 6-3 to Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, who is through to her first Grand Slam semi-final.
Sevastova said: “It was very physical, it was tough to play, it’s so hot.
“The first set was very important and I just kept fighting. We showed some nerves in the end but it’s normal. I’m so happy.”
The 28-year-old retired in 2013 after a succession of injuries drained her motivation. She spent two years studying leisure management but returned to tennis once she felt fully healthy.
She has had her best results in her second career, particularly in New York, where she has now reached the quarter-finals twice and the semi-finals once in the last three years.
Sevastova said: “It was an amazing journey, this three, four years. Right now you’re in the tournament, you’re playing next tournament next week, and you don’t feel it.
“But in the end it’s amazing, yes? You can’t believe. So, after I stop, at some point I will look at it and I will be proud of myself, for sure.
“I hope I will enjoy it, playing semi-finals. It’s not every day you play semis of a Grand Slam.”
Stephens and Sevastova met at the same stage last year, with the American coming from a break down in the final set before winning on a deciding tie-break.
It was arguably the closest she came to defeat in her remarkable run, but this time she could not extricate herself from her predicament.
Stephens saved two match points but not a third, and later revealed she has been suffering from a sinus infection.
She said: “Even when I did have my break opportunities, I just wasn’t playing the points well at all. It just was a really tough day. The heat doesn’t make it any more fun. The better player won.”
The 25-year-old added: “There’s a lot to be proud of. Defending a title is very hard. I’m just going to try to play the rest of the season as hard as I can.”