NEW YORK -- Sloane Stephens, the defending US Open champion, joined an exclusive list of high seeds who faltered this year in the oppressive heat.
She was beaten Tuesday in the quarterfinals by No. 19 Anastasija Sevastova, an obviously disappointing end to what she hoped would be another title-winning run. But Stephens leaves Flushing neither crushed nor embarrassed.
"I could have s--- the bed in the first round, and that would have been really bad," Stephens said after absorbing a 6-2, 6-3 beating that derailed a potential dream semifinal against Serena Williams.