Tennis Tennis Defending champ Stephens into US Open fourth round Sloane Stephens beat former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. Alex Fisher 31 August, 2018 23:47 IST World number three Sloane Stephens is now the highest-ranked left in the women's singles draw after the exits of Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki. - Getty Images Alex Fisher 31 August, 2018 23:47 IST Defending champion Sloane Stephens marched into the US Open fourth round with a comprehensive victory over two-time finalist Victoria Azarenka. Stephens toiled against Anhelina Kalinina in the previous round, but was far more impressive this time around at Flushing Meadows in a 6-3, 6-4 win against Azarenka, the highest remaining seed too good for the former world number one.RELATED| Serena blitzes sister Venus at US OpenFrom the outset Stephens was in control of proceedings, her groundstrokes piercing holes in her opponent's defence, the American seemingly having all the time in the world to plot Azarenka's downfall.It did not take her long to gain an advantage as an error-strewn display from Azarenka allowed Stephens an early break, one that she consolidated with a fine service game. While Stephens was unerringly accurate, her opponent grew frustrated at her inability to keep rallies flowing, Azarenka all too often finding the net or sending forehands beyond the lines.Another mistake handed Stephens the first set after 37 minutes and there was a sense of deja-vu in the opening games of the second. Having saved a break point on her own serve in the third game, Stephens upped the pressure on Azarenka and it immediately paid off as the Belarusian failed to convert from 40-15.RELATED| Gritty Nadal overcomes Khachanov in gruelling clashStephens battled back to deuce and with the advantage she saw Azarenka fire wide to give her a 3-1 lead. It was not all plain sailing, however, as the two-time Grand Slam champion bounced straight back and threatened to level things up.But a rain shower halted her momentum and, once the roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium had closed, Stephens regained her composure to seal a meeting with Elise Mertens.STATISTICAL BREAKDOWNStephens [3] bt Azarenka 6-3 6-4WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORSStephens – 19/17Azarenka – 21/27ACES/DOUBLE FAULTSStephens – 1/3Azarenka – 3/1BREAK POINTS WONStephens – 4/9Azarenka – 2/7FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGEStephens – 74Azarenka – 68PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVEStephens – 65/47Azarenka – 56/42TOTAL POINTSStephens – 68Azarenka – 57 Subscribe to our daily newsletter Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox! SUBSCRIBE Please enter a valid email address.