Smooth progress for Sloane Stephens, but no such luck for Kiki Bertens

She had a work cut out in the first set, but Sloane Stephens ultimately passed the Timea Babos test with ease to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
After making it past the first round at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2014 with her win on Monday, Stephens made it two wins in a row with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The first set were just four minutes shy of an hour as the Hungarian put up some great resistance, but Stephens eventually clicked in the second set to ease to victory.
The American, though, had the perfect game plan for Babos as she was up against a familiar opponent as they won three Grand Slam junior doubles titles as a pair.
“We won junior Grand Slams together, so I know her serve is ridiculously good. I had to just be patient and hang in there, and I’m glad I did that today,” the former US Open winner said.
According to @SloaneStephens, Grand Slams help her relax 🧐
After winning 19 of her last 23 Major matches… I guess Sloane knows best. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xgzwUfBBd8
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 16, 2019
Next up for the fifth seed is Petra Martic after the Croatian beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-4, 7-5.
Ninth seed Kiki Bertens crashed out, though, as the Dutchwoman fell to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeat against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
After a breakthrough 2018 season, many tipped Bertens to go deep at this year’s Australian Open and she started well enough against the Russian.
However, Pavlyuchenkova outlasted her to set up a clash against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, who stunned 20th seed Anett Kontaveit 6-3, 6-3.
Caroline Garcia stopped the rot for the seeds as the 19th seed from France beat Australian Zoe Hives 6-3, 6-3.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Andy Murray comment: How Britain’s greatest-ever sportsman won his greatest battle off court
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft tips Novak Djokovic to dominate tennis in 2019
-
Tennis betting preview: 5/1 Roger Federer to be the Wizard of Oz once more
-
Quiz! Test your knowledge on the history of the Australian Open
-
T365 Recall: 2009 Australian Open final featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
-
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day one: Andy Murray digs deep and Emma Raducanu thrills on Centre Court
Two brief suspensions due to rain failed to dampen spirits on day one at the All England Club.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray hoping for more matches on Centre Court after first round win
Wimbledon is willing on another Andy Murray run.
-
Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz admits he has to improve after first round struggle
Carlos Alcaraz claims he needs to find his level on grass.
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic clearly rusty but still the Wimbledon favourite – Robson
Novak Djokovic looks at home on Centre Court.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu ‘happy to stay another day’ at Wimbledon as she eases past Alison Van Uytvanck
Emma Raducanu up and running at Wimbledon 2022.
-
News
Novak Djokovic claims Wimbledon win No 80 and declares that ‘the love and flame for tennis still burns for me’
The six-time champion battled past Kwon Soon-woo in four sets.
-
News
The saint of Wimbledon: Jodie Burrage nurses ball boy during first-round defeat
Burrage passed out Percy Pigs to the youngster at SW19.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon: Nerveless Cameron Norrie books spot in second round
Norrie clinched a 6-0 7-6 (3) 6-3 victory on Court Two to become the first home winner of the tournament.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Stefanos Tsitsipas back into top five thanks to first title on grass
The ATP Rankings are set to be shaken up in the next fortnight.
-
Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz backs himself to upstage the icons at Wimbledon
Carlos Alacaraz believes he can hang with the best but has to get past Jan-Lennard Struff first.