WHAT HAPPENED: In the end, the pressure of defending her US Open title may have been too much for Sloane Stephens. On Tuesday afternoon in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the American was bounced from the draw by 19th-seeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, who advanced to the first major semifinal of her career with a 6-2, 6-3 upset victory.
“I think it was very physical today,” said Sevastova, who was appearing in her third straight US Open quarterfinal. “It was so hot here in the stadium. We showed some nerves in the end, but that’s normal — it’s for the semifinals of the US Open. I just stuck to my game plan and took my chances. I’m so happy.”
It was a rematch of their 2017 US Open quarterfinal, which saw the eventual titlist rally from a 3-1 third-set deficit to prevail, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. Stephens also defeated the 28-year-old only weeks ago in the Montreal quarterfinals, 6-2, 6-2. But the No. 3 seed clearly struggled in the oppressive heat and humidity that has played such a factor at the year-end Slam in 2018.
Stephens, 25, put pressure on her opponent’s serve throughout the first set, but failed to convert any of the seven break points in her favor. Sevastova, meanwhile, was a perfect two-for-two. The Latvian continuously stood toe-to-toe with Stephens from the baseline, striking the ball with authority and mixing in the occasional drop shot.
Stephens would finally collect a break on her eighth opportunity, when Sevastova sent a forehand wide, serving at 2-0, 30-40 in the second set. But the Floridian couldn’t consolidate. She would later reel off eight of nine points to secure a second break in the eighth game, but once again failed to consolidate. Sevastova, forced out of the game by injuries in 2013 before launching a comeback nearly two years later, showed some steely resolve, serving it out on her third match-point opportunity.
“When you don't play big points well, the match can get away from you. I think that's what happened today,” said Stephens, who said she has been suffering from a sinus infection. “I didn't convert. I didn't play the big points well, and you don't win matches when you don't take your opportunities. Mentally, physically, I just wasn't connecting. It just was a really tough day. The heat doesn't make it any more fun.”
“She's a great player. She plays a little bit different than most girls. She hits a lot of dropshots, she slices, she changes it up a little bit. It's always a difficult match, but I thought she played solid today. The better player won.”
Though Stephens landed 40 of 49 first serves (82 percent), she won just one of her second-serve points in the one-hour, 23-minute elite-eight matchup.
WHAT IT MEANS: Fans of all things American tennis are crossing their fingers that Serena Williams — who’s looking to match all-time Slam queen Margaret Court with her 24th major at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center — comes through her primetime quarterfinal against 2016 runner-up Karolina Pliskova on Tuesday. That would set up a semifinal between the six-time champion and Sevastova, whom she’s never faced.
MATCH POINT: Sevastova improved to 15-5 in New York, her best record among the four Grand Slam tournaments.
