Stephens survives wild three-setter against Kenin in Toronto

Sloane Stephens edges out Sofia Kenin in three sets on Monday night in Toronto. Stephens will get right back in action against Maria Sakkari on Tuesday.

SloaneStephens-cropped

Ricky Dimon

August 9, 2022

Sloane Stephens won’t complain about any win, but she probably didn’t expect to be on the court for three hours and 12 minutes — even longer if you count rain delays — when she led Sofia Kenin 6-2, 5-1 at the National Bank Open on Monday night.

That is what turned out to be the case for Stephens, who squandered a whole host of opportunities to finish the match much earlier before finally prevailing 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5.

6-2 5-1 –> 6-2 6-7(5) 7-5@SloaneStephens hangs on and beats Kenin to advance in Toronto! Faces Sakkari next for a spot in the Round of 16. #NBO22 pic.twitter.com/FESgpzgt9e
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 9, 2022

Stephens needs six match points

Stephens missed five match points in three different games. Kenin saved two while serving in the seventh game of the second set and fought off two more as her opponent served for victory at 5-2. Stephens eventually got a look at one more with Kenin serving at 4-5 in the third. That one went by the wayside, as well. At long last, the world No 59 steadied the ship and converted her sixth chance while returning in the 12th game of the decider.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a match where I’ve had multiple match points over the course of the match and didn’t lose my mind,” Stephens commented. “So I’m just very proud.”