"Sending you big hugs and strength - You got this!!" - Sloane Stephens sends heartfelt wishes to cancer patient at ATX Open

Sloane Stephens has gladdened a cancer-striken fan by sending her heartfelt messages ahead of her first chemotherapy session.

Stephens was up against Taylor Townsend in the first round of the ATX Open Austin on Tuesday. After winning the match, the American distributed autographed tennis balls to fans, and incidentally, one of the balls was caught by the cancer patient.

Ahead of her first chemotherapy session, the fan took to social media to convey her happiness at having caught the ball. On this occasion, she also expressed her admiration for Stephens and remarked that the ball gave her extra strength in her fight against the disease.

"I love you and your game! I caught one of your autographed balls last night. It’s here with me at my first chemo session. Bringing me strength!," she wrote on Twitter.

Replying to the tweet from the cancer-stricken fan, the former US Open champion sent her love and strength to fight the disease.

"Love you more! So happy you got the ball! Sending you big hugs and strength- You got this!!!!!," Stephens' tweet read.

Meanwhile, at the ATX Open, Stephens qualified for the quarterfinals after winning against Heather Watson in straight sets on Wednesday. The American triumphed over the Brit in one hour and 27 minutes.