WHAT HAPPENED: 20-year-old qualifier Anna Kalinskaya claimed her maiden Grand Slam victory and knocked out 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the process on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night in New York.
The Russian, who entered the evening with a 0-4 record at the Grand Slams and only six WTA-level victories to her name, played the match of her life and notched a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stephens in front of a stunned crowd that never really found an opportunity to rally behind Stephens.
"It feels amazing to win the first match on this court, it's my first main draw Grand Slam win," Kalinskaya said on court after the match. "The atmosphere was incredible. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed every moment."
Kalinskaya was the polar opposite of Stephens, and weathered every push the American made with steady play and punchy baseline strokes. She finished with 17 winners against 15 unforced errors while Stephens produced 33 unforced errors against 20 winners. Big points loomed large all evening and it was the Moscow native who summoned her best at critical junctures. She converted three of four break points and avoided trouble by saving break points while serving for the opening set at 5-3 and again at 2-3 in the second set with Stephens angling for a break lead.
On both occasions it was the Stephens backhand that produced unforced errors; that was a common theme. Stephens finished the night with 17 unforced errors on the backhand side against just four winners. The erratic performance left the American feeling frustrated.
"I think when I'm not playing as consistent as I'd like to, I think it's more on my side," said Stephens. "I was playing one good point, one bad point, one good point. The inconsistency doesn't help me at all."
WHAT IT MEANS: Stephens becomes the highest seed to fall out of the 2019 US Open women's singles draw in the first round. The American has now dropped five out of six matches dating back to her third-round loss at Wimbledon to Johanna Konta. It is a disappointing new beginning to her recently rejuvenated partnership with Kamau Murray, the coach who guided her to her lone major title in 2017. Stephens parted ways with Murray in January but the pair reunited before the US Open.
Kalinskaya has notched the biggest upset of the first round and her first career Top-10 win.
"That's what I practice for," said Kalinskaya. "To play against the big players on the big courts. I think that's what every player practices for."
The Russian's reward is to face a player ranked lower than her in the second round. Kalinskaya will face World No.141 Kristie Ahn for a shot in the third round.
She wasn't aware of this fact after the match and told reporters that she didn't want to know who her next opponent is.
"I will know tomorrow morning," she said. "Now I want to rest a little."
MATCH POINT: Kalinskaya has now defeated Americans in three consecutive matches in New York. She powered past Katrina Scott in the second round of qualifying before edging Asia Muhammed in a third-set tiebreaker in the final round of qualies.
