2026 US Open

Marta Kostyuk vs Sloane Stephens US Open Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Kostyuk to advance into third round

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 02 Sep 2026 01:48

Andrew Hendrie 1 hour ago

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Marta Kostyuk vs Sloane Stephens predictions for Wednesday's US Open R2
Rematch of recent Cincinnati clash, which Kostyuk won 7-5 7-5
Similar outcome predicted in New York, with Stephens covering a +6.5 line
The match is scheduled to start around 4.00am AEST on Thursday September 3

Marta Kostyuk v Sloane Stephens Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Tennis > US Open Women. T&Cs apply. Watch and bet Starts in To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.

Marta Kostyuk vs Sloane Stephens US Open Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Marta Kostyuk is tipped to advance into the US Open third round on Wednesday, but former champion Sloane Stephens can cover with a big +6.5 start, just like she did during their Cincinnati encounter a couple of weeks ago.

Marta Kostyuk vs Sloane Stephens US Open Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Kostyuk vs Stephens Stats & Trends
Kostyuk vs Stephens Head To Head
Marta Kostyuk Form Analysis
Sloane Stephens Form Analysis
Kostyuk vs Stephens Live Stream

It seems like a lifetime ago that Stephens won the US Open title - well, nine years to be exact. The American has dealt with her fair share of injuries since then, but has produced some resurgent tennis over the last few weeks and has nothing to lose against one of the tour's standout players of the season.

These two squared off in Cincinnati recently and Stephens pushed Kostyuk to the limit. Ultimately the Ukrainian won eight of the last 10 points of the match to come away with a 7-5 7-5 triumph, but it was close.

Which puts Stephens +6.5 in play for this clash. The 33-year-old stunned Clara Tauson in her opening round and has found some of her best tennis again.

But you can't back against Kostyuk - she's made the semi-finals of the last two majors, with seven of her eight defeats this year coming against top 12 players. It's taking the very best to beat her and Stephens isn't quite there yet.

Kostyuk vs Stephens Stats & Trends

Stephens has won nine of her last 15 matches
Kostyuk has a 9-0 record vs players outside the top 100 this season
Six of those nine wins for Kostyuk saw her fail to cover a -6.5 line
Seven of those nine wins for Kostyuk saw Over 18.5 games
Kostyuk has won 33 of 41 matches this season, with seven of those eight defeats coming vs top 12 players

Kostyuk vs Stephens Head To Head

Kostyuk leads 1-0, prevailing in a close two-setter in Cincinnati last month.

Year	Tournament	Surface	Round	Winner	Score
2026	Cincinnati	Hard	Round of 32	Marta Kostyuk	7–5, 7–5

Marta Kostyuk Form Analysis

2026 WTA Record: 33-8
US Open Record: 8-6
Current Ranking: No. 11
Career-High Ranking: No. 11 (July 2026)

It's been a brilliant season for Kostyuk and she will be hoping to break into the top 10 for the first time after this US Open.

Kostyuk was on fire during the clay swing, winning 16 matches in a row to take titles in Rouen and Madrid, along with reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals.

The 24-year-old maintained that momentum on grass, making it back-to-back major semi-finals at Wimbledon. She ultimately lost both of those semis to the eventual champion (Mirra Andreeva at RG and Linda Noskova at Wimbledon).

That trend continued across North America, with Kostyuk upstaged by Iga Swiatek in the Canada Open R16 and Coco Gauff in the Cincinnati quarter-finals, with both going on to win the title.

Kostyuk produced a super clean performance in her US Open first round, easing past Aussie qualifier Storm Hunter 6-4 6-1. Kostyuk won the final five games of the match, finishing with 22 winners to 12 unforced errors, along with eight aces.

Sloane Stephens Form Analysis

2026 WTA Record: 6-11
US Open Record: 24-12
Current Ranking: No. 209
Career-High Ranking: No. 3 (2018)

It’s been a difficult few years for Stephens, who appeared to be edging towards retirement after suffering a serious stress fracture in her foot.

Rather than undergoing surgery, Stephens opted for an extensive rehabilitation program before making her return to the tour this year. It has understandably taken some time for the former US Open champion to rediscover her rhythm, but she has slowly begun to build back towards a solid level.

Stephens successfully came through qualifying at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros and beat Anastasia Potapova before running into Kostyuk in the third round of Cincinnati.

The 33-year-old then delivered her best performance of the year in her US Open first round, crushing Clara Tauson 6-4 6-1, winning 79 per cent of first serve points and finishing with a 19/10 winners to unforced errors ratio.