American Stephens Ousted in First Round of Dubai Championship
American Sloane Stephens was defeated in the first round of the Dubai Championship, losing to Sorana Cirstea of Romania 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Stephens, a career-high 16th in the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings, defeated Serena Williams in Melbourne at the 2013 Australian Open before advancing the Aussie Open semis.
"It was a rough day, and I think she obviously played some good tennis," Stephens said. ”Every match isn’t going to go the way you want it, and obviously I got a little frustrated. Things happen, but, I mean, no need to dwell on it."
Last week, the 19-year-old Stephens lost to Klara Zakopalova in the third round of the Qatar Open after wasting two match points. She smashed her racket afterward.
After beating an injured Serena at the Australian Open, Stephens was being billed as the future of American tennis, even though she hasn’t won a professional tournament.
"The first week at home was really tough. Everyone was like, ‘Oh, my God, I want to see you,”’ Stephens said. ”Of course I had people tweeting me and stuff. And I wanted to make time for my friends and see like the people who I was supposed to see.”
