Western and Southern Open: Caroline Garcia beats Sloane Stephens, Vondrousova upset

2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens crashed out in the first round of the Western and Southern Open on Sunday. France’s Caroline Garcia defeated the American in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(4) in an hour and 34 minutes.

Stephens, who received a wild card in the tournament, built an early lead against Garcia, going up by a break in the opening set but Garcia overcame the deficit and soon raced away to a one-set lead. In the second set, it was yet again Stephens who built a 5-3 lead but once again Garcia clawed her way back into the set to eventually take the set and the win, in the tie-break.

Speaking after the match, Garcia said, “I was expecting a tough draw. Because when you see the draw, the girls in qualifying, it was kind of amazing," Garcia said of the prestige of their meeting. "You're like, 'Okay, if I'm not seeded, I'm going to play a good girl.' Even if she's not seeded, there is only good girls. I felt pretty good. I'm very happy the way I was playing and especially moving on court.”

Stephens though admitted to feeling rusty after coming back the long break that had to be enforced in 2020. “Obviously, not having played that many matches this year, it's a little tough. I still [have] another week to try and improve on it and get better,” the world no. 37 said.

This was Stephens’ seventh loss of the season. She currently has a 1-7 record in 2020.

Garcia will take on Victoria Azarenka in the second round. Azarenka defeated Donna Vekic in their opening-round match.

Assorted Results at the Western and Southern Open

In the other results, American Jessica Pegula ousted compatriot Jennifer Brady 7-6(5), 6-4 in their first-round match. Pegula will take on countrywoman Amanda Anisimova in the round of 32. Another American Catherine ‘Cici’ Bellis defeated France’s Oceane Dodin in their first-round match 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(1). Bellis will play fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the next round.

Dutch qualifier Arantxa Rus defeated Alison Van Uytvanck in their round-of-64 clash. Rus won in straight sets against the Belgian 6-2, 6-3. She will play 23-time Slam champion Serena Williams in the second round.

Former Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva, who made it past the qualifying stages into the main draw, also reached the second round on Sunday. The Russian needed an hour and 45 minutes to defeat Pole Magda Linette 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. Next up for Zvonareva is German Laura Siegemund who won her opener against 10th seed Marketa Vondrousova on Sunday 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4.

Twelfth seed Anett Kontaveit defeated Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-1 and 14th seed Elise Mertens defeated Swede Rebecca Peterson 6-0,6-2 in the other day matches at the Western and Southern Open on Sunday.

Photo Credit: NY Post

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