Sloane Stephens’ run at the US Open ended abruptly and abruptly on Monday.
The American tennis star suffered a surprising three-set defeat to France’s Clara Burel, an unseeded talent who has never advanced beyond the third round at a major tournament.
COME BACK CLARA ? pic.twitter.com/st5svjH2nj
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
Stephens’ loss was all the more surprising given that she entered the match by winning six straight games. Stephens displayed a venomous forehand and an impressive presence on the court, flying from one end of the court to the other with reckless abandon. A positive result seemed to be on the horizon for the 31-year-old, whose only major tournament victory came in the 2017 edition of the tournament.
Sloane Stephens is off to a good start!
She won the first set against Clara Burel 6-0. pic.twitter.com/u7lazPyAVv
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2024
Unfortunately for Stephens and all her fans, Burel found her rhythm as the match wore on. The 23-year-old looked anguished for most of the first 33 minutes of the match, losing each of her first nine games. Then she found life, overcoming a 3-0, 1-4, 2-5 deficit in the second set to tie the game at one set all.
A return in the works for Ashe?
Trailing 3-0 and a set behind, Clara Burel came back strong to force a third set. pic.twitter.com/DWBrGGFgYg
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
The third set was a marvel, with Burel and Stephens each having moments of brilliance… and madness. But in the end, it was Burrel who made the fewest errors. As Stephen’s once fiery and precise returns danced off the baseline, it was clear she was on the verge of an epic collapse.
Clara Burel won this match. pic.twitter.com/mInfvjeJs2
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
Stephens’ 7-5 loss in the final set gave her one of the worst results of her career at the US Open. She will have to wait until next year’s Australian Open for a chance at another major title. Burel, meanwhile, will face Belarusian standout Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday.
