Sloane Stephens vs. Jamie Hampton: Score and Recap from 2013 US Open

Sloane Stephens' penchant for excellence in Grand Slam tournaments continued Friday, as the 15th-seeded American defeated 23rd seed Jamie Hampton to advance to the fourth round of the 2013 U.S. Open.

Making slight work of her countrywoman, Stephens advanced in a 6-1, 6-3 onslaught that took all 62 minutes to complete. 

Using her powerful striking ability, Stephens exuded confidence, as Hampton struggled to keep her head above water. She converted 70 percent of her first serves and won the point on 66 percent of those chances. Massive mistakes also became an overarching theme of the afternoon, as Stephens broke her opponent thrice in each set. 

Expected to be a showcase for two of the world's best young American women, Stephens made it clear early this wouldn't be living up to its pre-match billing. Equipped with an overpowering forehand that bordered on triple-digits, Stephens forced her seemingly overmatched opponent into a succession of mistakes in the first set.

Hampton, making her first third-round appearance at Flushing Meadows, committed 16 unforced errors against just six winners in the in the seven-game set. Stephens was able to capitalize on those errors by winning eight of Hampton's 11 second-serve opportunities, leading to a 3-of-4 conversion rate on break points. 

While Hampton showed fight in the second set, even bringing it to a 3-3 standstill at one point, the remainder of the match proved more of the same. Hampton committed another 18 unforced errors (34 for the match), as Stephens pummeled the hard surface with a fusillade of precision attacks.

Hitting 18 of her 23 first serves inside the lines, Stephens was able to send Hampton scrambling to the point where she only needed five winners to close the deal. For the match, the two women actually had an equal amount of winners (12)—a signifier of just how much Stephens' power controlled the match. 

Stephens now holds a 3-1 career record over Hampton, including two victories in 2013. Friday also marked Stephens' second consecutive straight-sets win. She defeated Urszula Radwańska 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the third round after getting a scare from Mandy Minella in Round 1. 

Making the fourth round at Flushing Meadows makes Stephens 4-of-4 in doing so in Grand Slam events this season. Her best finish of the season is a semifinals run at the Australian Open, and she's coming off a quarterfinals run at Wimbledon. What's notable about this run, other than she's doing at such a young age, is that Stephens is just 17-15 in regular WTA tournaments. 

Friday's win should help set up perhaps the most compelling matchup of Round 4. Stephens will face either top-seeded Serena Williams or unseeded Yaroslava Shvedova, who play later Friday evening.

The relationship between Williams and Stephens has gotten much attention since the up-and-comer defeated the world's top-ranked player at the Australian Open. Initially portrayed as a mentor-mentee relationship—many view Stephens as an heir apparent to Williams among American women—tensions bubbled after that upset in Melbourne.

Stephens spoke to ESPN The Magazine's Marin Cogan in May, portraying Williams as someone who uses mind games against her opponents and hasn't reached out whatsoever to offer help. 

While the saga has simmered down in recent months, Williams and Stephens have not played each other since. In two matches this season, both women have captured a victory. Stephens has never been matched up against Shvedova.

The fourth-round matchup will take place Sunday.

All stats are courtesy of the U.S. Open's official website.

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