Champ Sloane sent crashing

DEFENDING champion Sloane Stephens joined the list of US Open shocks after an incredible run of upsets.

World No3 Stephens, below, was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Anastasija Sevastova as the Latvian reached her first major semi-final.

Defeat for Stephens came just hours after the Arthur Ashe crowd witnessed back-to-back upsets, with Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer both eliminated.

Sevastova booked her place in the last four just three years after coming out of retirement following a run of injuries and illness.

It was sweet revenge for the 28-year-old, who lost to Stephens at the same stage of last year’s US Open as the American went on to lift her maiden Grand Slam title. That was the second US Open quarter-final in a row Sevastova had lost. She said: “This was third time lucky. It was very tough because it’s so hot in the stadium. But I’m so happy. There were some nerves at the end but that’s normal with a place in the semi-finals at stake.”

Stephens said: “I have been sick since Monday with a bad sinus infection but you’ve got to play. It was just a tough day.” Britain’s sole survivor Jamie Murray is on course for double doubles success after notching up two wins in a day despite the conditions. Murray, 32, won the mixed at Flushing Meadows last year with Martina Hingis and is on course to repeat that after reaching the last four with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Murray also faces Moldovan Radu Albot and Tunisian Malek Jaziri in the men’s quarters today with Brazilian Bruno Soares, his 2016 trophy-winning partner. Murray, who had to play his men’s last-16 tie and mixed quarter-final in the space of a few hours on Monday in the searing heat, said: “It’s tough and the schedule didn’t help. But I had time to recover properly. I really look after my fluids with a lot of electrolytes, bars and salts in drinks to stay on top of my hydration.”