Late Start But Quick Finish for Stephens in 58-Minute Match
August 29, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Sloane Stephens’ second-round match at the U.S. Open did not get started until nearly midnight Wednesday/Thursday, but once the 15th-seeded American got on the court, she took care of business as quickly as possible, needing only 58 minutes to reach the third round by beating 38th-ranked Urszala Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 6-1.
Stephens needed three sets and nearly three hours to win her opening match on Monday. In this match, she was at her best though as she hit 24 winners and only five unforced errors.
Rain delays earlier in the day meant Stephens and Radwanska did not play a point until 11:53 p.m. It was the second-latest start for a U.S. Open match, as one in 1987 began at midnight.
With the win, Stephens next faces American compatriot, Jamie Hampton, for a shot at potentially facing Serena Williams in the fourth round. The 23-seeded Hampton was a 7-5, 6-4 winner over Kristina Mladenovic of France on Wednesday evening.
