Stephens makes quick work of Abanda

M O N T R E A L • The last Canadian in the Rogers Cup women’s tennis championship disappeared Wednesday when third-seeded Sloane Stephens of the U.S. defeated Montrealer Françoise Abanda 6-0, 6-2 in second-round action.

Stephens, who was making her hard court debut after a shocking loss to Donna Vekic at Wimbledon last month, wasn’t at her best but she needed only 80 minutes and that included an eight-minute washroom break for Abanda after she lost the first set, and a brief delay dealing with a light drizzle.

Stephens was kind in her appraisal of Abanda.

“I think she’s a great player,” said Stephens. “Honestly, she’s young. Obviously she needs more experience, playing more at this level. But I think that just comes with time. It happens to all of us, so it’s not anything to be too worried about. She’ll continue to get better as long as she listens to her coaches, does everything that everyone is supposed to do: work hard, have fun.”

Earlier, Alize Cornet of France defeated Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, the fourth seed from Germany, 6-4, 6-1 and the result shouldn’t have been a surprise if you looked at the players’ schedules. Kerber was playing her first match since winning on the grass at Wimbledon while Cornet has been busy. She won the Swiss Open on clay — defeating Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the semifinals — and also played in Moscow. And while Kerber had a bye in the first round, Cornet had a match to become accustomed to the courts.

Maria Sharapova, the former world No. 1, needed only 76 minutes to beat the 12th seed, fellow Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 6-2. Sharapova has lost only five games in two matches.

PAUL CHIASSON / CP Françoise Abanda was the final Canadian left standing in the Rogers Cup women’s championship before falling in straight sets to Sloane Stephens of the United States.