The American tennis player Sloane Stephens’ preparations and ambitions to perform at the high level of the upcoming Australian Open tennis championship suffered a blow after she fell by 1-2 (4:6, 6:3, 6:7) to Yue Yuan (China) in the first round of the WTA 250 Hobart International tournament, which has a prize fund of 267,082 USD.
The match lasted almost three hours before the Chinese player recorded a remarkable victory. After trading a set each, Yue Yuan broke in the third just as Stephen was leading 6:5 and served to win the match. In the tiebreak, the American, winner of the 2017 US Open, also led 5:4, but despite this, she was unable to take advantage of her lead.
“I am very happy that I was able to win. She is a Grand Slam champion. When I am at home, I often watch her play on TV. I am excited that we met and that I won”, said the satisfied Chinese player Yue Yuan. In the second round there will be an all-Chinese clash as Yuan will face Xinyu Wang.
Former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin started preparations for new success at “Melbourne Park” with a victory over Greet Minnen (Belgium) by 2-0 (6:3, 6:3). The American tennis player, who saved three break points offered by the Belgian, but turned them away and will play Daria Saville (Australia) for a place in the quarterfinals.
In Hobart earlier today, Viktoriya Tomova (Bulgaria) overcame the first round of the WTA 250 Hobart International. She defeated Martina Trevisan (Italy) by 2-0 (6:3, 6:3) after an hour and 45 minutes of play.
Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic), who is the 5th-seeded, continues to advance. She dealt with Viktorija Golubic (Switzerland), who came from the qualifiers, after 2-0 (6:2, 6:4). Her next opponent is Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan), who defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Italy) in three sets with2-1 (0:6, 7:5, 7:6).
