Sloane Stephens Crashes Out of US Open with Epic First-Round Collapse Against Clara Burel

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, suffered a dramatic collapse in the first round of the 2024 US Open, losing to Clara Burel in a stunning turnaround. Stephens, who had dominated the early stages of the match, ultimately fell 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 to the French player.

Match Overview

Stephens won the first nine games and had opportunities to close out the match, serving for both the second and third sets. However, her performance faltered as Burel staged a remarkable comeback. The Frenchwoman seized the match with a series of strategic breaks and crucial points.

After a commanding 6-0, 3-0 lead, Stephens began to struggle. She dropped seven of the next nine games, forcing a third set. In a gripping final set marked by six breaks of serve, Stephens initially went up 2-0, only to have Burel level the score at 2-all. Stephens served for the match at 5-4 but was broken again, allowing Burel to equalize at 5-all. The match concluded with Stephens dropping the final two games, including a double fault in the last game, sealing her fate.

Recent Struggles

This loss marks the third consecutive tournament where Stephens has exited in the opening round, following early exits in Washington and Toronto. Her performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium on August 26, 2024, highlighted the ongoing challenges she faces in recent matches.

Post-Match Reactions

Clara Burel reflected on her performance, noting, “I was a little bit nervous at the beginning. Sloane Stephens was making it tough for me. I just kept fighting and found a way to turn things around. I think being more aggressive and winning more points was the key to my comeback.”

The defeat ends Stephens' hopes of adding another title to her resume this year, as Burel advances further into the tournament.

Keywords: Sloane Stephens, Clara Burel, US Open, tennis, match recap, Arthur Ashe Stadium, sports news, US Open 2024