Daily Times

WASHINGTON: Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens was ousted by Germany’s Andrea Petkovic on Wednesday at the WTA Washington Open. Petkovic, ranked 91st, rallied to beat the world number three 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a second-round match in the hardcourt tune-up event for the US Open. “I played OK, could have played better,” said Stephens. “She played a good match. Today just wasn’t my day. I didn’t serve great. She just played better.” Stephens, this year’s French Open runner-up and a Miami Open champion in March, was broken twice in both the second and third sets in falling to 3-2 against Petrovic, losing for the first time since their initial meeting in 2011 when the American was only 18. “Hopefully some things will connect in the next few weeks coming into the US Open,” said Stephens. “Just focus on my game and get in a few more matches.” Japanese third seed Naomi Osaka, ranked 17th, is the only top-45 player remaining in the women’s draw, which saw reigning Australian Open champion and world number two Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark withdraw because of a right leg injury.

Published in Daily Times, August 3^rd 2018.