Nine years ago, Sloane Stephens lifted the US Open trophy before more than 20,000 spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. On Wednesday, she was grinding through long rallies at Wesselman Park in Evansville.
The surroundings had changed. The objective had not.
Stephens defeated Boyoung Jeong 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round of the Deaconess Women’s Tennis Classic. Local coverage from 14 News recorded the match at one hour and 24 minutes.
The former world No. 3 did not dominate every exchange. Jeong made her defend, extended several rallies and forced Stephens to earn control from the baseline. Still, Stephens stayed patient, moved the ball into the open court and finished without being dragged into a deciding set.
For a player rebuilding her career after a right foot stress fracture, another healthy match matters. So does another win.
Stephens Makes Jeong Work Across the Baseline
Stephens built her advantage through placement rather than raw power.
Instead of swinging for the lines at the first opportunity, she moved Jeong from side to side and waited for the court to open. Her forehand carried enough depth to push Jeong behind the baseline. Once Jeong lost her position, Stephens redirected the next ball into the vacant corner.
One extended exchange captured the match clearly. Stephens drove a deep groundstroke toward the sideline and appeared to have Jeong trapped. The South Korean recovered and fired a sharp backhand reply to steal the point.
Stephens did not react. She walked back to the baseline, reset and returned to the same patient patterns.
That response mattered more than the lost rally. Injuries can leave players rushing points or protecting their movement without realizing it. Stephens showed no obvious hesitation when Jeong forced her to change direction. She covered the court, trusted her footing and continued constructing points.
The closing game carried the same calm. Stephens leaned on her serve and ended the match before Jeong could create another opening.
Evansville Serves a Clear Purpose
Stephens has not tried to hide why she accepted a wild card into a World Tennis Tour event.
She needs matches.
“My goal is to play as many matches as I can,” Stephens told the WTA during the Australian Open in January while discussing her recovery and plans for the season.
That statement explains her presence in Evansville better than any ranking calculation.
Training can restore strength and technique, but it cannot reproduce the pressure of a break point or the physical strain of a long return game. Stephens needs to test her movement when rallies stretch. She also needs to recover overnight and return for another match.
Wesselman Park is a long way from Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the competitive value is real. Every round gives Stephens another chance to sharpen her timing and learn how her body responds.
The $100,000 event also offers valuable ranking points. Stephens entered the week at No. 313 after starting the season outside the top 1,000.
A Foot Injury Changed Her Timeline
Stephens played only five matches in 2025 before a stress fracture in her right foot halted her season after February.
In an interview published by the WTA, she explained that the early stages of rehabilitation required three months in a walking boot. Surgery remained an option, but concerns about the risks led her toward a slower recovery plan.
She did not return to competition until September.
The absence cost her ranking position, but it also removed the rhythm that players build through a full season. Match timing disappears quickly. So does trust in the body, especially when an injury affects the foot and every movement begins from the ground.
Her results in 2026 show gradual progress. Stephens won three qualifying matches at the Australian Open, earned a main draw victory in Miami and qualified for Roland Garros. Official WTA records chart her climb back to No. 313 by July.
Those achievements are modest compared with winning a major or reaching No. 3 in the world. In her current situation, however, they mark genuine progress.
At 33, Stephens knows the tour will not hand her back a place near the top. She must collect points at smaller events, stay healthy through consecutive matches and prove she can still handle tougher opponents.
The Next Round Brings a Steeper Test
Stephens now faces top seed Renata Zarazua, who advanced past Cadence Brace in her opening match.
Their recent history favors Zarazua. The Mexican has won all three previous meetings, including a 6-2, 6-0 victory in Charleston earlier this season.
That makes the second round a better measure of Stephens’ current level. Jeong tested her patience and movement. Zarazua will demand cleaner returns, greater depth and sustained discipline from the first game.
Still, Stephens completed the immediate assignment. She won in straight sets, avoided unnecessary time on court and showed no visible signs that her foot limited her.
The road back was never going to run only through major stadiums and marquee tournaments. For Stephens, it also runs through qualifying draws, smaller venues and difficult matches against players trying to build careers of their own.
Evansville offered another chance to compete. Stephens took it.
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FAQs
Who did Sloane Stephens beat in Evansville?
Stephens defeated Boyoung Jeong 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round of the Deaconess Women’s Tennis Classic.
Why is Sloane Stephens playing in Evansville?
Stephens wants more competitive matches as she rebuilds her ranking and fitness after a serious right foot injury.
What is Sloane Stephens’ current ranking?
Stephens entered the Evansville tournament ranked No. 313 in the world.
Who will Sloane Stephens play next?
Stephens will face top seed Renata Zarazua, who has won all three of their previous meetings.
When did Sloane Stephens win the US Open?
Stephens won the US Open women’s singles championship in 2017.
