Stephens Overpowers Tauson 6-4 6-1 in US Open First Round

Sloane Stephens needed only two efficient sets to see off Clara Tauson 6-4 6-1 in the US Open first round, tightening her grip after an even opener. The serve numbers told the story: Stephens landed just 57.4 percent of first deliveries but won 90.3 percent of those points, and even her second ball held up at 65.2 percent, with no double faults all match. Tauson found the court more often at 68.4 percent, yet won only 53.8 percent behind her first serve and 44.4 percent behind her second, and her five aces were offset by three double faults. For the American, it was a clean, low-error start on home soil.