Sloane Stephens beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 6-2 in 70 minutes on her 31st birthday in the only first round match between former Grand Slam champions.
Stephens has improved her win-loss record to 6-2 in their head-to-head matches against Kerber.
Stephens set up a second round match against Sorana Cirstea. They are 1-1 in their two head-to-head matches this year. Cirstea beat Stephens 6-3 6-2 in the second round in Doha. Stephens avenged this defeat by beating Cirstea 6-0 7-5 in the second round of Indian Wells two weeks ago.
Kerber recently reached the fourth round in Indian Wells. The German player has won consecutive matches since returning from maternity leave last January. She has a record of four wins to eighth defeats since her come-back.
Kerber fired 26 winners to just eight unforced errors. The German player earned the first break with her forehand down the line at the start of the second set with her forehand down the line. Stephens broke straight back to draw level to 2-2. Stephens fended off one more break point in the next game to take a 3-2 lead before earning a crucial break to take a 4-2 lead as Kerber netted an overhead.
“It was a great day at the office. I feel like I had the biggest party ever, and you guys all come out”, said Stephens.
Caroline Wozniacki beat Clara Burel 6-1 6-4 in 1 hour and 18 minutes to advance to the second round at the Miami Open.
The 2018 Australian Open champion reached the second round for the 13th time in 13 career appearances at the Miami Open. The Danish player has made her come-back last summer after three years of absence. She gave birth to her children Olivia and James.
“For my children, to be able to see me put the work in, it’s a great way also for them to learn. For me to travel with me and my family, it’s great. I thnk, we are getting closer even in a different way. They have to adapt, but I think it’s fun for them. Olivia is always excited about getting on a plane and going to meet new people and see new places. She still talks about Paris. I don’t know why Paris. I guess a lot of people love Paris, but that’s one that kind of sticks out to her. She talks about all the places we have been. I think it’s great”, said Wozniaki.
Last week Wozniacki beat Angelique Kerber in the Round of 16 to reach the quarter finals at the BNP Paribas in Indian Wells.
Both players traded breaks in the second and third break points. Wozniacki broke twice in the fourth and sixth games to race out to a 5-1 lead and hit a forehand crosscourt pass winner on her set point.
Burel saved four break points to hold serve at deuce in the third game for 2-1. Wozniacki fended off three break points in the fourth game before breaking twice in the fifth and seventh games to open up a 5-2 lead. Burel saved a break point each at 5-2, 5-3 and 5-4, but Wozniacki sealed the win her fourth match point.
Wozniacki finished the match with 15 winners to 15 unforced errors. Burel made 19 winners to 43 unforced errors.
Wozniacki set up a second round match against Anhelina Kalinina. Wozniacki will face Kalinina for the first time in her career.
