FRANCE — Returning to her “favorite court in the world,” Sloane Stephens defeated Karolina Pliskova, a veteran of two Grand Slam finals, 6-0, 6-4 in her first match at the French Open.
While the 2017 U.S. Open was Stephens’ sole Grand Slam victory to date, she has enjoyed considerable success on the red clay courts of Paris, including a runner-up finish to Simona Halep in 2018 and two quarterfinal appearances.
“This is my favourite court in the world, so I’m super happy to be back,” Stephens told the audience on Court Philippe Chatrier. It’s amazing to begin a Slam on the court or surface you enjoy playing on.
After getting off to a 1-4 start on Sunday, with the lone U.S. victory coming in a match involving two players from the country (Jessica Pegula beating Danielle Collins), she helped the American women get off to a 4-0 start during the first few hours of play on Day 2.
As of Monday, Madison Keys’ record in the first round of majors stands at 35-5. Keys was the runner-up to Stephens in New York six years ago and reached the semifinals at Roland Garros 2018. Keys defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.
Returning to her “favorite court in the world,” Sloane Stephens defeated Karolina Pliskova, a veteran of two Grand Slam finals, 6-0, 6-4 in her first match at the French Open.
Kayla Day, a qualifier from the United States, will play next for Keys after she defeated Kristina Mladenovic, a wild card entrant from France, 7-5, 6-1.
American Bernarda Pera, of Croatian descent, defeated world number two Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The 2021 French Open runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated the Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtova in straight sets (6-2, 6-2), while the 22nd-seeded Donna Vekic prevailed over the qualifier Dayana Yastremska (6-2, 7-5).
Stephens trailed Pliskova by a break in the second set but returned to win the final three games to take the match.
Returning to her “favorite court in the world,” Sloane Stephens defeated Karolina Pliskova, a veteran of two Grand Slam finals, 6-0, 6-4 in her first match at the French Open.
With a 19-16 advantage in aces and only 10 unforced errors to Pliskova’s 31, Stephens defeated the 2016 U.S. Open and 2021 Wimbledon finalist.
This court has a few challenges. Stephens advises extensive practice to learn how and when the wind is blowing on it. Playing with it will help you learn how it works. But the court system could be clearer. But that’s part of the wonder of it.
After playing only three matches in larger clay events in Madrid and Rome, Stephens won a local tournament on clay courts in Saint-Malo, France, at the beginning of the month and reached the Morocco Open’s semifinals last week.
“Last year, my clay season wasn’t great, but I played amazing at Roland Garros last year,” Stephens said. “And this year, I really wanted to get matches and play a lot and see where that got me.”
SOURCE – (AP)
