Stephens was ecstatic after executing a perfect volley on match point to claim the win as the 2017 US Open champion looks to sharpen her game ahead of the year’s final major, which kicks off later this month in New York.
“Thank you guys so much, it was so electric in here and so fun,” Stephens said in an on-court interview under the lights. “I felt like I played really well and was really consistent but honestly there is nothing better than playing in the US in front of an American crowd. Incredible audience and atmosphere.”
Fifth-ranked Jabeur, in her first match since suffering “the most painful loss” of her career in the Wimbledon final, clawed her way from a 1-5 deficit in the final set to beat Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-7(2) 7-6(2).
“It’s really nice to know where I can go, what I can push, you know, and today was really tough. It was tough to believe I could win this match,” said Jabeur, who is into the third round after a first-round bye. “A lot of frustration in that third set but I’m glad I kept going.”
Twice champion Victoria Azarenka upset Czech 11th seed Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 7-5 to reach the second round. The 34-year-old unseeded Belarusian Azarenka broke Krejcikova four times, saved three of five break points and won the final five games of a match lasting one hour 45 minutes.
Danish wildcard Caroline Wozniacki lost her opening match 6-4 6-4 to lucky loser Varvara Gracheva of France. Czech ninth seed Petra Kvitova, a Cincinnati finalist last year, also booked her spot in the second round with a 7-6(2) 6-0 win over Russian Anna Blinkova.
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