Twin loss no big deal
Stephens upbeat on year form
BRISBANE International-bound Sloane Stephens continued her frustrating run of losses yesterday, but still emerged in historic company as a Fed Cup champion for the United States.
Stephens became the eighth woman in the Open era to win the US Open singles crown and a Fed Cup team title in the same year – and the first since Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2004.
The five fellow Americans she joined in that group are Chris Evert ( 1977- 78, 80, 82), Tracy Austin ( 1979), Martina Navratilova ( 1986) and Serena Williams ( 1999).
Stephens lost to Belarus opponent Aliaksandra Sasnovich 4- 6, 6- 1, 8- 6 to leave the Fed Cup final in Minsk level at 2- all, her fifth consecutive loss since she won the US Open in September.
But teammates CoCo Vandeweghe, who has reached the top 10 this month under the coaching of Pat Cash, and Shelby Rogers won the fifth and decisive match, in doubles, giving the US their first Fed Cup in 17 years.
Vandeweghe and Rogers beat Sasnovich and Aryna Sabalenka 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 7- 3).
Stephens, ranked No. 13, is set to play next at the Brisbane International from December 31.
In a two- speed year, Ste- phens won no matches until August as she recovered from foot surgery and after winning the US Open as the world’s No. 83 ranked player, she has not taken out another match in three tournaments and a Fed Cup tie.
“Don’t play tournaments when you’re not ready to play,’’ Stephens said before the Fed Cup final. “Don’t play injured ( is what I’ve learnt from the defeats).
“I wouldn’t say that it’s a low. I mean, I did just win the US Open, so it’s not that bad.’’
Top- five players Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova are also expected to compete at the Brisbane International.