In the first career meeting between two US Open champions, Emma Raducanu beat Sloane Stephens 6-0 2-6 6-1 in Margaret Court Arena to advance to the second round of the 2022 Australian Open.
The 17th-seeded Raducanu dominated every aspect of the game in the first set, as Stephens hit zero winners to eight unforced errors. Looking at the stats, Raducanu was 100% in three departments: first serves won, break points won and net points won. The set was over in 17 minutes.
The world No.67 Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017, four years before Raducanu, opened the second set with a break, finally converting her fifth break point in that opening game, albeit with Raducanu’s double fault. Even though Raducanu managed to get the second set back on serve at 2-2, Stephens broke her twice more and took the set in 49 minutes.
Making her Australian Open main draw debut, Raducanu re-established her dominance in the third set and advanced to the second round where Danka Kovinic of Montenegro awaits.
The 28-year-old Stephens was opening the 2022 season in Melbourne, after getting married to long-term partner Jozy Altidore on January 1.
Stephens is still on her honeymoon.
JohnnyB, lol well, she has every right to be.