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.
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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.
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