Kostyuk edges Stephens 7-5 7-5 in Cincinnati second round

Marta Kostyuk needed two tight sets to see off Sloane Stephens 7-5 7-5 in the Cincinnati round of 32, breaking clear only in the closing games of each set. The Ukrainian's serve was erratic but effective when it landed: just 51.5 percent of first deliveries found the box, yet she won 73.5 percent of those points and struck seven aces against seven double faults. Stephens was the steadier server on placement, landing 63.6 percent of first serves with only two double faults, but she won just 54.8 percent behind them and 41.7 percent on second serve. The result carried Kostyuk into the next round of a WTA 1000 hard-court event.