SERENA WILLIAMS BEAT SLOANE STEPHENS TO CONTINUE QUEST 24TH GRAND SLAM TITLE

Sloane Stephens US Open Champion 2017 lost to Serena Williams having won the first set 2-6, but succumbed to the superior power of Serena 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the third round of the US Open.

Williams who battled a set down before winning to continue her quest for a record 24th Grand Slam title, fought hard to turn the game around with Stephens looking comfortable after the first set lead.

Stephens who kept her cool continued the composure moving Williams to the baseline and all over the court looking good as one that will prevail over the No.1 seed. But Williams increased her intensity in play as she won the second set 6-2.

Williams who lost to Maria Sakkari in the Western & Southern Open last week stuck to her ambition to equal Margaret Court’s record, although she has not been too happy with her recent results due to rustiness. That showed in her unforced errors and some missed serves.

She re-enforced with serve percentage increase and applying experience in her drive play to overcome Stephens in third 6-2.

Serena will meet Maria Sakkari who beat her the Western and Southern Open last week in the fourth round. Sakkari had defeated Amanda Anisimova in 6-3, 6-1 in a match that was just 55 minutes inside the Lious Amstrong Stadium.