Sloane Watch

This Australian Open, I’m going to choose one player on the women’s side and follow her progress through the tournament. This year, I am choosing Sloane Stephens. She is a player whose game I really enjoy watching. I love her forehand and how effortless she makes it all look when she’s on. She has great, fluid movement and is both graceful and aggressive. Watching her switch between the two is always a pleasure.

So, what is her draw like? Stephens is unseeded

R1- Emma Raducanu. Wow. This is the draw to watch. Stephens is coming up against one of the biggest break out players in the game. Interestingly, they were both unexpected winners of the US Open the years they won it, but Radacanu even more spectacularly so. Raducanu was beaten 6-0, 6-1 by Rybakina just recently and must be lacking some confidence as she tries to find her feet on the WTA tour. However, maybe playing in an ITF Slam might give her some belief. Raducanu could have had a much, much easier draw than Sloane, and this match is nothing less than fascinating.

R2- D.Kovinc/qualifier. Sloane will have earned a more low key second round if she survives Radacanu. Not just surviving the match itself but all the hype and media interest.

R3-Halep (14). This will be tough. I mean, who plays tougher than Halep? These two had a very nice Roland Garros final in 2018 and this match would be the pick of the third round.

R4-G. Muguruza (3). This is actually not so bad for Stephens. If she can get past Halep, she’ll be match fit as it comes at this stage in the season. You never know what you might get with Muguruza, and Stephens has the experience to know how to exploit any inkling of vulnerability in the third seed who will be under a lot of pressure.

QF-Kontaveit (6). One of the form players after that impressive dash to the WTA finals last season. This is where I would think the road ends for Stephens. She could also face Rybakina here, which would also be tough.

SF-A. Sabalenka (2). As vulnerable as any top two seed has been in a slam. This could be good for Stephens.

F- A. Barty (1) If Barty is in the final, she will be under tremendous pressure. But she is very consistent and could break Stephens down.

I don’t expect Stephens to win the title, but I will enjoy watching her progress. Join me on my Sloane watch!