Tennis-Birthday Woman Stephens Rolls Into Miami Open Second Spherical

MIAMI: Sloane Stephens celebrated her birthday in fashion as she beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber 6-2 6-3 on Wednesday in a one-sided battle between former Grand Slam champions to achieve the second spherical of the Miami Open.

Stephens, a 31-year-old Florida native and the 2018 Miami Open champion, transformed 4 of her eight break level probabilities towards Kerber and dropped serve as soon as within the 70-minute match.

“I got here out with a gameplan, I used to be very clear with that, and I didn’t actually deviate from that,” Stephens stated throughout her on-court interview.

“I simply tried to play one of the best I may and provides one of the best effort I may and I’m joyful to be by with the win.”

Up subsequent for the 2017 U.S. Open champion, who fell within the third spherical at Indian Wells final week, might be a conflict with Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

World quantity 41 Stephens was barely examined within the first set which she wrapped up in fashion together with her second break of the body, this one coming at love.

Kerber, a three-times Grand Slam winner who returned to the tour in January after an 18-month maternity break, was seeking to construct on her fourth-round exhibiting at Indian Wells.

She appeared extra snug early within the second set however was finally undone by a rash of errors.

Stephens took benefit and consolidated a break for a 5-2 lead after which went on to serve out the match with a routine maintain that she punctuated with a forehand to the open court docket.

With the win, Stephens improved to 6-2 in head-to-bead conferences with Kerber.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)