Sloane has entered the chat 📲 @SloaneStephens defeats Mertens in straight sets and will meet No. 2 seed Garcia tomorrow! #SanDiegoOpen
Stephens shines: a dominant victory over Mertens at San Diego Open
WTAWednesday, 13 September 2023 at 04:58
Sloane Stephens delivered a convincing performance as she defeated Elise Mertens with a score of 6-1, 6-3 in the opening round of the San Diego Open.
Following the conclusion of the US Open, the action on the WTA Tour continues with the WTA 500 San Diego Open. This tournament provides an opportunity for several players who may have faced disappointments at Flushing Meadows to earn valuable ranking points, while others take a well-deserved break after two hectic weeks.
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who was the 19th seed, faced off against the world No. 29, Elise Mertens. Mertens, previously seeded 32nd at the US Open, reached the third round of that tournament before succumbing to the eventual champion, Coco Gauff. This performance contributed to a slight improvement in her ranking.
Read also
The first set of their San Diego Open encounter saw Stephens take a commanding 4-0 lead after securing two consecutive breaks. Despite the lopsided score, the early games were fiercely contested. However, the American excelled in crucial points, allowing her to establish a comfortable advantage. Although Mertens managed to break back once, it proved to be a temporary setback as she couldn't hold her serve for the third consecutive time, ultimately surrendering the set 6-1.
Mertens started the second set by holding her serve for the first time and even had a break point in the subsequent game. However, she couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. Three consecutive breaks (two for Stephens and one for Mertens) once again tilted the match in favor of the American. Stephens then saved three break points and secured a 4-2 lead.
Despite Mertens holding her serve for the second time in the set, Stephens remained solid on her own serve. She eventually capitalized on her first match point to close out the set 6-3, securing the victory in one hour and thirteen minutes.
Sloane will face second seed Caroline Garcia this time, who was a semifinalist in the 2022 US Open and only played the first round this year, resulting in a significant drop in her ranking, leaving her on the verge of falling out of the top-10.
claps 0visitors 104
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Renee Stubbs, stop the race baiting, you snow flake. Nothing badosa said was racist, and Paula, don't knee-jerk apologize for nothing.tennistim23-12-2024
- Rybakina is back!!
mandoist21-12-2024 - She sems to have a turbulent relationship with The Truth. Not even smartenough to make an excuse like "I severely twisted my ankle yesterday" -- then be seen shopping in some city next day while "recuperating"!mandoist21-12-2024
- Why do you even publish this TwatCaster's PATHETIC stunt for attention? There's plenty of reasons why imbeciles like him are 'talking' and people like Iga Swiatek are 'walking the walk'. Tennisuptodate should be above this tripe.mandoist16-12-2024
- If and when Political Correctness and gullible hearts over-rule BIOLOGY, the Human world begins its already seeming decline.mandoist15-12-2024
- The new generation has arrived and these guys need to do it with the left overs.
AceOfBase13-12-2024 - Every young, inexperiend CEO has "better" ideas (and friends to hire).mandoist12-12-2024
- What a load of nonsense. Emotional stress definitely didn’t cause her wrist or ankle injuries.Lyca10-12-2024
- Taylor Fritz 🎾 – the surprising third for many. 🎄 A great Christmas tree quiz question! 🎅✨MrAndreeva10-12-2024
- Simona Halep taking the axe out 🪓😮💨MrAndreeva08-12-2024
