Monterrey Open: Sloane Stephens ends drought of wins, beats Emma Navarro in opener

Sloane Stephens survived a test in the form of countrywoman and fellow wildcard, Emma Navarro in their opening-round match in Monterrey on Monday. The fifth seed eventually won her first match of the 2020 season with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 victory in two hours and 16 minutes in what was the last first-round match of the day. She will play either Stefanie Voegele or Leylah Fernandez in the second round.

Another of Stephens’ compatriot, seven-time Major champion and former world no. 1 Venus Williams suffered a shock exit to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in their opening round. The Slovakian qualifier won 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 29 minutes. Schmiedlova will take on the ninth seed Marie Bouzkova in the second round. The Czech defeated lucky loser Kristina Kucova 6-4, 6-2 in their opener in one hour and 41 minutes.

Sixth seed Rebecca Peterson also made her way into the second round with a 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 win over Kateryna Kozlova. Peterson awaits the winner between Kateryna Bondarenko and Sara Sorribes Tormo in the second round.

Eighth seed Yafan Wang defeated Lara Arruabarrena 6-4, 6-4 to reach the round-of-16 in one hour and 26 minutes. Wang will play Australian lucky loser, Astra Sharma. Sharma defeated Nina Stojanovic 6-4, 6-4 in their opener in one hour and 24 minutes.

Olga Govortsova defeated American lucky loser Caroline Dolehide in their opening-round clash. The Belarusian qualifier needed an hour and 39 minutes to pocket a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win. She awaits either the top-seed Elina Svitolina or Danka Kovinic in the second round.

Photo Credit: WTA Twitter

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