Holder Stephens exits in U.S. Open quarter-finals

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens crashed to defeat in the quarter-finals, losing 6-2 6-3 to Latvian 19th seed Anastasija Sevastova on Tuesday.

American Stephens lacked the swagger she showed through the opening four rounds and wilted on the sun-baked Arthur Ashe Stadium court against Sevastova, who became the first Latvian woman to reach the semi-finals of the U.S. Open.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by Ken Ferris)