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Kostyuk Aims to Extend Major Dominance vs Stephens
2 Sep
Summary
- Kostyuk is seeded 11th and seeks a US Open breakthrough.
- Stephens, a former US Open champion, enters on a wildcard.
- Kostyuk leads their head-to-head series 1-0 after a recent win.
The second round of the 2026 US Open will feature an intriguing matchup between 11th seed Marta Kostyuk and wildcard Sloane Stephens. This encounter is scheduled for Wednesday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Marta Kostyuk advanced to this stage after defeating qualifier Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1. Her performance continues a successful major season, marked by semifinal runs at both the French Open and Wimbledon. She is now pursuing her best result at the US Open, having never previously progressed beyond the round of 16.
Sloane Stephens, a former champion of this tournament in 2017, earned her spot in the second round by beating Clara Tauson 6-4, 6-1. This victory serves as a strong rebound after a recent two-match losing streak. Stephens will rely on her extensive experience and home-court advantage against a formidable opponent.
The head-to-head record between the two players stands at 1-0 in favor of Kostyuk. Their only previous meeting occurred just two weeks ago in the third round of the Cincinnati Open, where Kostyuk emerged victorious in straight sets.
While Kostyuk is considered the slight favorite due to her consistent season-long form and recent victory over Stephens, the match is expected to be closely contested. Stephens's proven ability on this surface and her history at the venue could pose a significant challenge.
