Stephens begins with a victory

washington — Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens began the summer hardcourt campaign ahead of defending her Flushing Meadows crown by beating Bethanie Mattek-Sands 7-5, 6-4 Tuesday at the WTA and ATP Washington Open.

Third-ranked Stephens, who captured her first Grand Slam title last year in New York, booked a second-round match against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic.

“I’m super excited about the hardcourt season again,” 25-yearold Stephens said. “I’m still young and still have so much more to go and look forward to.”

Stephens, who won her first WTA title at Washington in 2015, fired her sixth ace on her first match-point chance to advance after one hour and 53 minutes.

“I knew I was in for a real test from the very beginning,” Stephens said. “I knew I had to stay patient and be within myself.”

Stephens became the top-rated player in the draw when world number two Caroline Wozniacki, the reigning Australian Open champion, withdrew due to a right leg injury.

Denmark’s Wozniacki, who won her 29th career WTA title in June at Eastbourne, was ousted from Wimbledon in the second round and had a right leg issue in a Monday practice session.

“It’s just something that has been nagging for a little while,” Wozniacki said. “Hopefully it will be fine.”

On the men’s side, top-seeded defending champion Alexander Zverev of Germany was scheduled to open later against Malek Jaziri. —