Sevastova storms into US Open second round

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Sevastova storms into US Open second round
Latvian 12th seed Anastasija Sevastova

New York - Sevastova, a semifinalist in New York last year, was sharper throughout

By Reuters

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Published: Mon 26 Aug 2019, 11:20 PM

Last updated: Tue 27 Aug 2019, 1:22 AM

Latvian 12th seed Anastasija Sevastova dispatched an error-prone Genie Bouchard 6-3 6-3 to reach the second round of the US Open on Monday.
Partly cloudy skies and a cool breeze did little to dampen the enthusiasm of fans packed into Flushing Meadows for the US Open on Monday, where the sport's biggest names were set to embark on their quest to win the year's final Grand Slam.
Bouchard struggled with her accuracy, committing 27 unforced errors and double faulting four times, in the match which drew a big crowd to Court 5.
Sevastova, a semifinalist in New York last year, was sharper throughout and blazed a crosscourt forehand winner past Bouchard's outstretched racket on match point.
Former world number five Bouchard, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2014, has struggled all season is now ranked a lowly 119 and her loss on Monday was her 12th in a row. World number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic and French Open champion Ash Barty were to take the court in the morning session before five-times winner Roger Federer closes the night session against Sumit Nagpal of India (4:30am UAE time) on Arthur Ashe.
The most anticipated match, however, was the first-round showdown between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova (3am UAE time), a pair of powerhouses who for years were the two most recognisable names in women's tennis.
Williams and Sharapova have never met at the US Open before and although eighth seed Williams will be the favourite against the world number 87.
Williams holds a commanding 19-2 career record against Russian Sharapova but the 37-year-old American's fitness could be an issue. Seeking a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title, Williams forced to withdraw from the Rogers Cup final in Toronto due to back spasms and sat out the Cincinnati Open this month. 
 


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