Confident Sloane Stephens downs Osaka in Singapore

A confident Sloane Stephens stormed to victory with a commanding third set performance against Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka to highlight another night of stunning upsets at the WTA Finals in Singapore.

In an unpredictable encounter, the American overcame a second set stutter to dominate the decider and triumph 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 25 minutes. It was followed by another marathon match with number eight seed Kiki Bertens overcoming top-seed Angelique Kerber in a thrilling 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory.

The lower seeds have won all four matches to start the WTA Finals.

Osaka has won 14 of her previous 16 matches to be the in-form player coming into the season-finale. Stephens won the pair’s only previous match two years ago in Acapulco.