Bellis, the second youngest player in the women's field, won three qualifying matches and beat two players within the top 65 in the main draw but her dream run ended in a flood of Kerber winners and a rash of errors from the over-hitting teenager.
The second-seeded German took 55 minutes to close out the Day Five program at Flushing Meadows, nearly doubling the 33 points won by Bellis as she notched her WTA Tour-leading 50th match win of the season.
"Congrats to CiCi. She played a great tournament and for sure she will have a great future," the gracious Kerber said in an on-court interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Bellis was far from dejected after the one-sided defeat
that came after victories over Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland and fellow-American Shelby Rogers.
"I think today was the best experience I've ever had in tennis, playing her today on Arthur Ashe Stadium," the Californian said. "She's one of the best, I mean the best player right now on the tour besides Serena.
"Her groundstrokes are perfect. I hope to one day be able to play like her."
Next up for Kerber is Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, a 6-3 6-4 winner over 22nd seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Kerber and Kvitova have split their eight career meetings.
(Editing by Andrew Both)
