Good start of the tournament for Genie and Sloane that had to cope with tricky customers.
The interesting part of it is that many consider Sloane as the heir of Serena and Genie the heir of Sharapova. In the second round they are going to “swap their heritage” as Bouchard will play Serena Williams and Stephens will face Maria Sharapova .
Bouchard
The Canadian was facing a dangerous Monica Puig in the opener. The teenager from Puerto Rico is now ranked world no.53 and she has already beaten some illustrious players in 2013 such as Andrea Petkovic, Julia Goerges and Francesca Schiavone . Puig’s best result came in Wimbledon where after trashing Sara Errani (!!!!) 6-3 6-2 in the opener, she reached the quarters to lose to Sloane Stephens (and she was 1 set up).
Apparently this feat didn’t intimidate Genie Bouchard that dismissed Monica in straight sets (6-3 6-4) in 82 minutes. Genie’s tennis was rather dominant to allow the young Canadian to get 13 break points (she converted 4) to drop her serve twice. Match Stats
Unfortunately Genie will play the supreme Serena Williams in the second round. That could be either a big lesson for the Canadian or the kick start for what is going to definitely be a great career.
Stephens
Sloane had a tougher match against an erratic Petra Martic. The Croatian can lose and beat everybody and she gave a hard time to Sloane. Eventually the American won 6- 2 3-6 6-3 in 1 hour and 44 minutes. Match Stats.
Stephens will play Maria Sharapova that is playing her first tournament after the hip injury occurred in Wimbledon. Head to head is 3-0 for Maria that has ever conceded a break to the American. Details
Here the only match played on Hard court by Sloane Stephens and Maria Sharapova when the Russian won 6-2 6-2 (Miami 2012)
