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US Open Day 6: Serena Williams advances to fourth round with win over Sloane Stephens

Chris Cwik
Staff writer
·4 min read
Serena Williams, of the United States, serves to Sloane Stephens, of the United States.
Serena Williams dropped her first set to Sloane Stephens, but was dominant after that. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The 2020 US Open returned to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this week with no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a roundup of the sixth day of action.

Serena Williams advances past Sloane Stephens

Serena Williams will get a shot at redemption in the US Open. Williams rallied after dropping an early set to move past Sloane Stephens in the US Open on Saturday.

Williams, 38, struggled early, dropping the first set to Stephens 6-2. Williams, however, appeared to get stronger as the match went on. She took the second set 6-2, and won the third set by the same score.

Williams’ daughter Alexis was pretty excited about the victory.

The win sets up a revenge scenario for Williams. With the win, she’ll take on Maria Sakkari in the fourth round of the US Open. Sakkari defeated Williams at the Western & Southern Open in August.

Maria Sakkari, of Greece, reacts during a match against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Maria Sakkari, of Greece, reacts during a match against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Maria Sakkari beats Amanda Anisimova

Maria Sakkari is moving on to the fourth round. Sakkari — who is representing Greece —made quick work of American Amanda Anisimova in the first match of Day 6.

Sakkari took both sets against Anisimova, winning 6-3 and 6-1. The match was over in just 55 minutes.

With the win, Sakkari, 25, will take on Serena Williams, who Sakkari beat at the Western & Southern Open in August.

Daniil Medvedev takes down J.J. Wolf

Daniil Medvedev took care of business Saturday, taking down American J.J. Wolf in just three sets. The Russian defeated Wolfe 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round.

Medvedev entered the US Open as one of the favorites, and was expected to push past Wolf. Prior to the match, Medvedev was a perfect 9-0 in sets at the 2020 US Open. He extended the number to 12-0 after his win over Wolf.

With the win, Medvedev will take on the winner of Martin Fucsovics and Frances Tiafoe.

Elise Mertens advances past Caty McNally

Elise Mertens made quick work of American Caty McNally on Saturday. Mertens took down McNally in two sets — 7-5, 6-1 — to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

Mertens, 24, will play the winner of Ons Jabeur and Sofia Kenin in the next round.

Alex de Minaur rallies to beat Karen Khachanov to advance

Things weren’t looking good for Alex de Minaur early, but he rallied to pick up the win over Karen Khachanov late. After dropping two of the first three sets, de Minaur came back to win the final two to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

de Minaur came into the event as the top ranked Australian player. He’ll take on Vasek Pospisil in round four.

Vasek Pospisil defeats Roberto Bautista Agut to advance

Vasek Pospisil pulled off a late rally to advance to the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday. Pospisil dropped two of the first three sets to Roberto Bautista Agut, but finished strong to take down Agut.

Pospisil won the first set 7-5, but dropped the next two — 6-2, 6-4 — to fall behind Bautista Agut. Pospisil appeared to get stronger as the match went on, taking the next two sets 6-3 and 5-2 to advance.

Pospisil will take on Alex de Minaur in round four.

This story will be updated.