What a match from Sloane!
The 20 years old is making giant steps toward the top of the rankings. After defeating her childhood idol (Serena Williams) in Melbourne, she has now defeated also Maria Sharapova in an incredible match.
Sloane was getting to this clash with a not so good head to head record against Maria (it was a 3-0 for Maria and all in straight sets). The beginning of the match wasn’t also a perfect one for Sloane that was 2-6 0-2 down. Game Over? Not really! Stephens fought back to break back Maria and to win the second set at the tiebreak and the third 6-3. The match ended after 2 hours and 23 minutes. Match Stats.
Sloane: I am glad I was able to turn it around
After the match Sloane said “It definitely started out rough. A set and 0-2, she was killing it. I’m glad I was able to turn it around and start playing good tennis.”
Maria: it’s obviously disappointing, but that’s the way it goes in this game.
The Russian wasn’t as happy as Sloane to comment “You know, I stopped being patient. I started making a lot more errors, especially off the first ball – just errors that I shouldn’t make.
Obviously I haven’t played in a long time, but I can’t make that excuse for myself because I’ve got to be ready from the first match. So it’s obviously disappointing, but that’s the way it goes in this game.”
This was the first match that Maria Sharapova played with her new coach Jimmy Connors… and that wasn’t good at all!
Next vs. Jankovic or Makarova
Sloane will play the third round against either Jelena Jankovic or Christina Makarova.
