Sloane Stephens relished each second she spent on her favorite court docket on this planet because the she cruised to a 6-0, 6-4 first-round victory over former world primary Katerina Pliskova on Monday to place down an early marker on the French Open.
The 30-year-old, runner-up in Paris 5 years in the past, gave erratic Pliskova no probability on the principle Philippe-Chatrier court docket, rushing by means of the primary set in 49 minutes earlier than the Czech recovered within the second.
However she stored piling up unforced errors — 31 in whole — in addition to half a dozen double faults, giving Stephens, ranked up to now as excessive as third on this planet, the prospect to race again from 4-3 down, break her twice and rattle off the subsequent three video games to seal victory.
“That is my favorite court docket on this planet and I’m tremendous completely satisfied to be again,” mentioned Stephens, presently ranked thirtieth.
The American, who received her solely Grand Slam on the 2017 US Open, was additionally a quarterfinalist in Paris final 12 months regardless of struggling for type.
Stephens got here into the match in bettering type on clay after profitable her first WTA 125 occasion and reaching the semifinals on clay in Rabat final week.
“To start out like that in your favorite court docket and favorite floor is nice. I needed to get matches underneath my belt this 12 months (earlier than the match) and I used to be feeling assured,” Stephens mentioned.