Top Seed Sloane Stephens Succumbs to Rebecca Peterson at Citi Open
Steve Fogleman in Washington
In what has become an almost-too-familiar ritual at WTA tournaments everywhere, the Citi Open’s top seed was eliminated in first round action on Tuesday afternoon. This time, the giant was Sloane Stephens and the disrupter and victor was Rebecca Peterson in a 6-2, 7-5 mild surprise that lasted 88 minutes.
Sloane Stephens (yesterday)
Stephens sprayed shots throughout both sets and won only 38% of her first set first service points. Peterson played a cleaner game and grabbed 71% of her first serve points. “I’m just really happy with the win. Just fought for every point. I was not thinking too far ahead.” This is Peterson’s most impressive win of her career. “It feels great. I’m really happy with the way I performed today. It was quite tough. It’s the first tournament since Wimbledon, so I knew I had to be focused and play my game.”
Peterson will face either Sachia Vickery or Camila Giorgi in the second round. Giorgi and Peterson have not met in WTA tour level play, but Sachia Vickery holds a 3-1 career head to head lead over the Swede.
Tennis Atlantic 