Stephens ends drought in Monterrey, Schmiedlova vanquishes winless Venus
American fifth seed Sloane Stephens ended her drought by outlasting Emma Navarro 6-4 5-7 6-1 in Monterrey on Monday.
Sloane Stephens at Australian Open
Sloane Stephens won her first match of 2020 after prevailing at the WTA Monterrey Open, while Venus Williams’ woes continued.
Stephens – the American fifth seed – ended her drought by outlasting Emma Navarro 6-4 5-7 6-1 in Monterrey on Monday.
Prior to this week, Stephens had featured in four tournaments without a win, including a first-round exit at the Australian Open. But the 2017 US Open champion finally opened her account for the year via the WTA International event after two hours, 17 minutes.
The No.5 seed remains! ??@SloaneStephens defeats fellow compatriot Navarro, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 at @Abierto_GNP. pic.twitter.com/Pvhm3WAe2h
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2020
Former world number one Williams and her winless year continued, however, following a 4-6 6-3 6-2 defeat to qualifier Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Seven-time grand slam winner Williams battled, but the 39-year-old was eventually eliminated after two hours, 29 minutes on court.
Shining bright under the Monterrey lights
Qualifier @akschmiedlova outlasts Williams, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at @Abierto_GNP! pic.twitter.com/Bstt27SeUJ
— WTA (@WTA) March 3, 2020
Elsewhere, Wang Yafan, Rebecca Peterson, Olga Govortsova, Astra Sharma and Marie Bouzkova progressed to the second round.
