On an overcast Thursday in Paris Sloane Stephens took out Heather Watson in straight sets 62 64. The 22-year-old American was 0-4 against Watson in her career including an earlier defeat this year on the hard courts in Hobart. That was all proven meaningless today.
Stephens entered today’s match with confidence, having taken out former World #1 and fellow American Venus Williams in straight sets on Monday in her first round match. She continued today right where she left off with Williams.
In the Williams match Stephens was aggressive, accurate with her strokes, and more importantly she played the big points with confidence and didn’t let her game plan change under pressure. Stephens had just 14 unforced errors compared to 22 winners and was 3/3 on break points. Stephens also won an incredible 47% of points returning serve.
In Thursday’s match against Watson her solid play continued. She had a few more unforced errors with 20, but in her two matches combined at the French Open she has only made 34 unforced errors. Compare that to top seed Serena Williams, who had 52 unforced errors in her match today alone.
Against Watson, like in her match against Venus, Stephens was aggressive and won 54% of points in return service games. She was constantly putting pressure on Watson’s serve as Watson only won 44% of her first serve points.
These aggressive precision stats are nothing new for players coached by Nick Saviano. Last year Saviano coached Genie Bouchard and it is well documented how her game plan surrounded aggression and accuracy of shots on court. Added to that, Bouchard’s strong play on big points was also highlighted.
Now that Stephens is coached by him it appears that aggression and mental toughness are being instilled into her game too. Stephens also has a past relationship with Saviano as she was coached by him at his academy when she was younger so they have past experience working together.
Stephens’ decision to bring in Saviano has helped her get over last year’s struggles. Lat year her record was 20-19, but this year she already has 15 wins. Not only are the results improving, but her on-court attitude has changed. At times last year Stephens appeared to be not caring on court and there were questions being asked of her focus and attitude towards the sport. Saviano, for the time being at least, has changed her mentality on court into that of a player who has focus.
Next up for Stephens is Tsvetana Pironkova who she has beaten both times they’ve played in the past, including a clay court match in Brussels back in 2013. Stephens is in a great position to reach the fourth round of the French Open for a fourth straight year where she would either play Victoria Azarenka or Serena Williams. Both are difficult opponents, but are beatable especially because of how strong Stephens looks in Paris right now.
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