Qiang Wang surprised Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open, sending the American home early and earning a date with Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round.
Stephens starts strong, collapses to hand Wang an early lead
The American, fresh off of her second WTA title in Auckland, started with a flyer, breaking Wang to open proceedings. A massive struggle ensued in her opening service game, but Stephens held on, saving a break point along the way to open up a 2-0 hold. As it would turn out, the key to the match played out in the next game, Wang held after an 11-point struggle, the Chinese saving four break points. Stephens' next service game would feature nine points and a break point saved with Sloane holding a 3-1 lead.
In what would be Stephens' last realistic opportunity in the match, Wang fended off two more break points, cutting the lead to 3-2. Another nine point game ensued and Wang level led the set at three, breaking Stephens on her second chance of the game. An easy hold staked Wang to her first lead of the match at 4-3 and it would be extended as Wang needed only one opportunity to break and take a 5-3 lead, her run now at four straight games. That string would grow to five as the set was served out after Wang repelled two more break points, securing the opening frame 6-3.
Wang continues her run of games, eliminates Stephens
Disappointed about not capitalizing on her opportunities in the first set, Stephens dumped serve to open the second, saving one break point, but not the second to hand Wang an early lead. The lead would grow was Wang held at love for a 2-0 lead. Continuing to struggle, Stephens dropped serve again for a 3-0 lead. Wang would run her string of consecutive games won to nine with a hold to 30 and with it a 4-0 lead. The run of games would stop in the next Stephens service game, the American on the board in the set.
She would summarily break Wang on her second chance of the game, the Chinese having her lead trimmed to 4-2, which would become 4-3 after a tough Stephens hold. The theme of the match would play out in the next game: Stephens having chances to break, but failing to convert as Wang took a 5-3 lead. She clinched the match on her second match point to break Stephens serve and finish off a memorable 6-3, 6-3 victory.