The number four seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, and the ever-promising but often disappointing American hope Sloane Stephens were the major casualties on day three of the US Open yesterday.
The day after Serena Williams steamrollered young Taylor Armstrong out of the tournament to strengthen her hold on favouritism, the other half of the draw opened up considerably with the surprise exit of Radwanska, followed within an hour by that of Stephens, seeded number 21 but playing way below that level.
Peng Shuai thrilled millions at home in China when she held her nerve at the end of an impressive performance to beat the classy Radwanska in an hour and 36 minutes. She played with steady grit rather than much risk to win 6-3, 6-4, muscling her way through one 27-shot rally that seemed to drain the Pole.
Peng blew match point at 5-4, pushing a forehand into the tramlines, but grabbed another with a blistering backhand that left Radwanska stranded, not somewhere she usually finds herself. Peng sealed it with another backhand that kissed the white line and after a match that might have gone either way, she had secured her finest win.
“Every game was pretty tight and there were a lot of rallies,” Radwanska said.
“In the important moments I think she was just playing a little bit better,” she added.
On Arthur Ashe, Stephens was not expected to struggle against Johanna Larsson but faded alarmingly as the Swede held firm in the third set to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. The American, struggling lately, struck an astronomical 63 unforced errors as she strove in vain for quick kills.
“I’m not going to dwell on this,” she said afterwards, “just keep improving, getting better, and look forward to the next tournament. I haven’t had that great a season. I’m not the first and I won’t be the last.” Guardian Service
