New York, August 28: Simona Halep made a first-round exit at the US Open, as Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens progressed on Monday (August 27).
Halep became the first top-seeded woman to lose in the first round at Flushing Meadows with her defeat to Kaia Kanepi.
Williams was pushed in a battle against fellow veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova, while last year's champion Sloane Stephens advanced.
AGGRESSIVE APPROACH PAYS OFF FOR KANEPI
Kanepi came out swinging from the start against Halep and the top seed was unable to contain her.
The unseeded Estonian reached the last eight in New York last year and was determined to throw everything at Halep as she eyes another deep run.
"She has been playing really well in US lately, so I thought I just have to be aggressive and try to stay calm," said Kanepi.
"Everybody can beat everybody on a good day, so that's what I also thought, I know Simona is number one, she plays constantly really well, but I can play really well, too."
Stunner on Louis Armstrong Stadium!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 27 August 2018
Kaia Kanepi knocks out Halep 6-2, 6-4 and it's now the first time a top seeded woman has lost her opening round match at the #USOpen... pic.twitter.com/NIrKFM7gel
EVERGREEN VENUS ON COURSE FOR SERENA CLASH
Williams maintained her proud record of never having fallen at the first hurdle in her home major.
The evergreen 38-year-old, a runner-up on her US Open bow 21 years ago and a semi-finalist last year, survived a huge battle against Kuznetsova.
Williams could come up against her sister, Serena, in round three after seeing off the Russian 6-3 5-7 6-3.
Survival of the fittest:@Venuseswilliams eventually finds an answer, outlasting Kuznetsova in a 3 set tussle...https://t.co/JWPqEEwn3C#USOpen pic.twitter.com/cogymE4vj6
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 27 August 2018
STEPHENS STEADY TO BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE
Stephens, the defending champion, was largely comfortable in a 6-1 7-5 victory over Evgeniya Rodina.
The American crushed 24 winners to go with 22 unforced errors on her way to a win in 76 minutes.
R1 ✅
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 27 August 2018
Defending champion @SloaneStephens wraps up proceedings on Louis Armstrong Stadium with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Rodina!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/KQ1Eb8AqSt
MUGURUZA, SVITOLINA AND PLISKOVA ADVANCE
Garbine Muguruza did not come close to defending her Wimbledon title, falling in the second round, but the 12th seed thrashed Zhang Shuai 6-3 6-0.
Seventh seed Elina Svitolina, beaten in the first round at the All England Club, saw off Sachia Vickery 6-3 1-6 6-1.
Karolina Pliskova, runner-up two years ago, was a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) winner against Zarina Diyas.
SERENA POWERS PAST LINETTE
Serena Williams marked her return to the US Open with an impressive straight-sets win over Magda Linette.
The 23-time grand slam champion was too good for Linette in a 6-4 6-0 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the opening round.
Williams, who missed the major last year as she gave birth to her daughter in September, improved to an 18-0 win-loss record in the first round of her home grand slam.
The American, seeded 17th in New York, grew into her clash with Linette, who was no match for Williams.
A break of serve in the seventh game of the first set was enough for Williams to take the opener, with Linette winning just seven points against the 36-year-old's serve.
Big time tennis from @serenawilliams as she seals the double break in the second set!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 28 August 2018
She leads Linette 6-4 3-0...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/6kRLrJU5i3
Williams took that momentum into the second set, racing into a 3-0 lead as she dominated with her power from the back of the court.
A powerful backhand winner down the line saw Williams break again for 5-0, closing out a strong victory and setting up a second-round clash against Carina Witthoft.
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