Players with a ranking like #29 Sloane Stephens rarely get a good draw at a grand slam. They usually get a nice first round pushover, followed by some major talent. Sloane was fortunate enough to face Simona Halep, Kristina Mladenovic and Laura Robson. Last night, she met and beat Bojana Jovanovski in three sets for a trip to the Quarters.
It’s not just the draw, but playing the matches that counts. And Sloane is showing no signs of letting off the gas in Melbourne. She’s now played herself into a position where she’ll be severely tested from here on out. Serena Williams awaits.
Let’s hope Sloane gets a chance to exact a little revenge for Serena’s fist-pumping win over her in Brisbane a couple of weeks back.
Tennis Atlantic 
Return Serve?