Sloane Stephens’ wheels are spinning after a second straight loss to start the 12 months halted the momentum of the previous US Open champion’s resurgent 2022.
Stephens misplaced 6-2 6-2 to qualifier and fellow American Lauren Davis within the Hobart International first spherical on Monday, every week after struggling the identical destiny at a match in Auckland.
Stephens, a former world No.3 who received the US Open in 2017, broke a four-year title drought final 12 months and made the French Open quarter-finals to climb again to No.36 within the rankings.
But Davis, ranked nearly 50 locations additional again, was in full management in sunny however testing situations in Tasmania.
“I felt really good; it was pretty gusty out there, the wind swirling a bit. It could have got under my skin,” Davis stated.
“I’m really happy with how I handled myself. It got a little bit stressful there towards the end but I got it together and (I’m) really happy to have won here.”
It leaves Stephens in need of match apply heading into subsequent week’s Australian Open.
Tournament prime seed and World No.26 Marie Bouzkova additionally suffered some yips within the wind earlier than getting back from 2-5 down within the first set to beat Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.
The two Australian hopes within the draw, wildcards Olivia Gadecki and Talia Gibson, have been each ousted in straight units.
Gadecki confirmed loads of struggle in her 6-4 7-5 loss to fortunate loser Xinyu Wang, whereas 18-year-old Gibson – the youngest participant within the Hobart important draw – fell 6-3 6-2 to 35-year-old German veteran Tatjana Maria.
The pair will each get a crack in spherical one of many Australian Open, after being granted wildcards.
“I’m a bit disappointed, but fought to the very end. There’s a lot of things to take from this match, a lot of positives,” Gadecki stated.
In different first-round motion, Laura Siegemund rallied from a set behind to beat Tereza Martincova 5-7 6-1 6-2 whereas Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina was too good for Canada’s Rebecca Marino, 6-2 6-1.
