Women’s seeds continue to tumble but Sloane Stephens maintains US Open title defence with win over Elise Mertens

Elina Svitolina became the eighth seed inside the world’s top 10 to crash out of the US Open on Sunday but American interests remained alive in Stephens and Serena Williams

The cull of the leading women’s seeds continued here at the US Open on Sunday as Elina Svitolina became the eighth member of the world’s top 10 to go out of the tournament. Sloane Stephens and Karolina Pliskova, ranked No 3 and No 8 in the world respectively, are the only top 10 players left standing and both made impressive progress to reach the quarter-finals.

Svitolina, who has never gone beyond the fourth round here, was soundly beaten by Anastasija Sevastova, who is through to the last eight for the third year in a row. Sevastova, who ended Maria Sharapova’s run 12 months ago, won 6-3, 1-6, 6-0 to earn a quarter-final meeting with Stephens, the defending champion.

That match is sure to be staged in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Although Sevastova has not played there this year, the 28-year-old Latvian is quite familiar with the biggest arena in world tennis as she regularly watches matches there. She was in the crowd on the first night for the opening ceremony and also watched Rafael Nadal beat Karen Khachanov on Friday.

“It's so loud and there are so many people,” Sevastova said. “It’s amazing just to watch as a spectator. I think the atmosphere shows how the Americans show respect for the sport. They come here and watch in a huge stadium and it’s full.”

The world No 18 lost to Stephens in three hard-fought sets at the same stage last year. Stephens, who went on to win the title, booked her place in this year’s quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Elise Mertens, reversing the result of their meeting in Cincinnati last month.

The crowd gave Stephens raucous support. “Playing at the US Open as an American is super fun,” Stephens said afterwards. “I think defending a title is super tough. It doesn't happen very often. I think the expectation to come in here and win the tournament is just ridiculous.”

Stephens said she had been “super nervous” in the early rounds last week. “It wasn’t because I didn't know my game was there, it was because of the moment,” she said. “You were here last year, you did something so great. What's going to happen now?

Sloane Stephens progressed to the US Open quarter-finals at the expense of Elise Mertens (AFP/Getty)

“You can only focus on things you can control. Yes, I'm nervous, but I can still move my feet. Yes, I'm nervous, but I can still hit my serve over 60 miles an hour.

“There are things you can do to control the moment. Focusing on those little things definitely helped me in the earlier rounds. I'm playing solid. I just have to keep that in mind, just try to keep going.”

Elina Svitolina was knocked out of the US Open on Sunday by Anastasija Sevastova (AP)

Stephens could be heading for an all-American showdown with Serena Williams in the semi-finals, though the former world No 1 will first have to find a way past Pliskova, who beat Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 6-4. Pliskova is the last player to have beaten Williams here, in the 2016 semi-finals.

Williams beat Kaia Kanepi 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 in a match of rapidly changing fortunes. The American dropped only six points in winning the first set in just 18 minutes, but was eventually made to work for her victory by Kanepi, whose ball-striking can threaten any opponent.

Sevastova will face defending champions Sloane Stephens in the last-eight (Getty)

After winning the first game of the deciding set Williams bellowed out a huge roar. She went on to hit a total of 47 winners, including 18 aces, to deliver one of her best serving performances of the tournament so far.