American hope Sloane Stephens’ French Open dream is over after suffering straight-set defeat to world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka – leaving Coco Gauff and Bernarda Pera as the only US stars left in the singles
- Sloane Stephens rallied to force a tiebreak but was edged out in the opening set
- Aryna Sabalenka won the second set to take a 7-6, 6-4 victory over the American
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Sloane Stephens’ French Open dream is over after falling to world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the first women’s match to be chosen for the night session at this year’s Roland Garros.
American Stephens has a great record in Paris and on clay in general but this match threatened to derail early when she found herself 5-0 down after just 17 minutes in the first set.
Stephens rallied to force a tiebreak and perhaps edged the play but was narrowly edged out by Sabalenka, who had earlier squandered several set points.
The Belarusian, who has been no stranger to controversy after refusing to condemn dictator Alexander Lukashenko this week, won the second set to take a 7-6, 6-4 victory.
Stephens played some classy tennis but it was not enough and it means Coco Gauff and Bernarda Pera are the only Americans remaining in the singles draw.
Sloane Stephens’ French Open dream is over after falling to world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka
The American was defeated on straight sets by the Belarussian in the night-session match
Stephens was narrowly edged out by Sabalenka after forcing an opening set tiebreak
Pera, world No 36, plays fan favorite Ons Jabeur tomorrow morning, while Gauff meets Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
‘It was a crazy match, Sloane played unbelievable tennis to come back from that score,’ said Sabalenka after the match. ‘I was a bit lucky in that first set. Thank you to everyone for the atmosphere.
‘It was amazing. Thank you so much. I did not expect all these people.’
It comes after French Open organizers came under criticism for snubbing many women’s matches in the showpiece, separately-ticketed night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
