US Open: Iga Swiatek beats Sloane Stephens to reach third round

World number one Iga Swiatek came out on top in a meeting of Grand Slam champions as she beat Sloane Stephens to reach the US Open third round.Two-time French Open winner Swiatek saw off American Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open, 6-3 6-2.

Swiatek will next face American Lauren Davis who beat 28th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 0-6 6-4 7-6 (10-5).Sixth seed Aryna Sabalenka produced a remarkable comeback to beat Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi and advance.

The Belarusian, a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows last year, came through 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 in a rollercoaster match.However, fourth seed Paula Badosa became the latest top player to fall as she was beaten 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-2 by Croatia’s world number 54 Petra Martic.Eighth seed Jessica Pegula and three-time finalist Victoria Azarenka also advanced on day four in New York. (BBC Sports)