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SPORTS Wednesday 5 september 2018
Defending champ Stephens knocked out in U.S. Open quarters

By BRIAN MAHONEY said. "I'm trying!" she responded
AP Sports Writer Three-quarters of Arthur to a plea from the crowd to
NEW YORK (AP) — First, Ashe Stadium was in the pick it up in the second set.
there were four break sun on another day of She did eventually get
points squandered, along more than 90-degree tem- close, breaking Sevastova
with an early chance for peratures in New York, and at love to cut it to 4-3 in the
the lead. Stephens seemed to lack second set. But Sevastova
Next, three more wasted. some of her usual sideline- broke right back during
Pretty soon, Sloane Ste- to-sideline court coverage another lengthy game, this
phens' run at a U.S. Open in the heat. one lasting 14 points, and
repeat was lost too. Stephens said she had soon it was over — but not
The defending champion been battling a cold, but before Stephens made a
was eliminated Tuesday, her biggest problem Tues- pretty good run at becom-
beaten by Anastasija Sev- day might have been her ing the first repeat champi-
astova 6-2, 6-3 in the quar- serve. The No. 3 seed was on since Williams won three
terfinals. broken five times in the in a row from 2012-14.
"I didn't play the big points 84-minute match. "So the fact that I made
well, and you don't win "Mentally, physically, I just it to the quarterfinals and
matches when you don't wasn't connecting," Ste- played some really good
take your opportunities," phens said. "It just was a matches and I just com-
Stephens said. really tough day. The heat peted as hard as I could,
Stephens beat Sevastova doesn't make it any more I mean, a lot to be proud
in the same round last year fun." of," Stephens said. "And ob-
en route to her first Grand Stephens, one of the best viously defending a title is
Slam title, but she missed defenders in the game, very hard, very difficult."
numerous chances to squandered all seven Williams could still give the
grab an early lead in the break-point chances in U.S. at least one women's
rematch and could never the first set, missing out semifinalist after Stephens
get back into the match. a chance for early mo- won an all-American final
Sevastova, the No. 19 seed mentum during a lengthy four last year. Pliskova is
from Latvia, will play either third game of the match. the last player to beat her
Serena Williams or 2016 U.S. She couldn't convert four in Flushing Meadows, a
Open runner-up Karolina chances to break in that victory in the 2016 semifi-
Pliskova in her first Grand game that lasted 18 points, nals before Williams missed Sloane Stephens reacts after missing a shot against Anastasija
Slam semifinal. and Sevastova then quick- the tournament last year, Sevastova, of Latvia, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open
That's further than it ever ly broke her for a 3-1 lead. when she gave birth to her tennis tournament, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in New York.
appeared Sevastova Stephens then couldn't daughter.q Associated Press
would get in tennis when convert three more chanc-
she retired in May 2013, her es in the next game, and
body battered by muscu- never got another in the
lar and back-related inju- first set.
ries. She returned nearly Her frustration became ap-
two years later and finally parent, whether she was
broke through on her third gesturing to her coach,
straight appearance in the staring in annoyance at
U.S. Open quarterfinals. deep balls that bounced
"It was an amazing journey, off the baseline, or just
this three, four years," she screaming out in general.