Serena Williams came from behind to thrash 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, in the third-round on Saturday.
She beat Stephens 2-6 6-2 6-2 to keep alive her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
A sure-footed Stephens pounced early as third seed Williams struggled with her first serve and committed 13 unforced errors in the first set, claiming an early break for a 2-1 lead.
The 26th seed kept Williams on the run as she saved two break points, with the 38-year-old struggling to find her rhythm.
But the momentum dramatically shifted in Williams’ favour in the second set. She opened up a 4-2 lead as she cleaned up her game and kept psyching herself up in the absence of the legions of fans who regularly flock to Flushing Meadow.
The stands are empty this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
