Kostyuk beats Stephens 6-1 7-5 to reach US Open third round

Marta Kostyuk overpowered Sloane Stephens 6-1 7-5 in the US Open second round, racing through the opener before holding her nerve in a tighter second set. The Ukrainian's serve was the difference: eight aces against none for Stephens, and 77.8% of points won behind a first delivery that landed only 55.4% of the time. Stephens was far more consistent in the box at 75.4%, but won just 55.1% of those points, giving Kostyuk enough looks to break in each set. Three double faults aside, Kostyuk controlled the rhythm and moved into the next round on home-slam soil for her opponent.