Stephens shakes off past losses

The Associated Press Stephens earned her biggest victory since winning last year’s U.S. Open, beating No. 3-ranked Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-4 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals at the Miami Open.

“Keep it in the court, girl — that’s all you’ve got to do!” a spectator hollered. During a postmatch on-court interview, Stephens thanked the fan, who has attended her past two matches.

“I have no idea who that is,” she said later. “Day before yesterday was the first time I’d ever seen him. But it’s entertaining. He knows tennis — he was shouting all the right things.”

Also advancing was three-time champion Venus Williams, who came from behind for the second straight day and beat defending champion Johanna Konta 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. The victory was Williams’ 64th on Key Biscayne.

“I’m not bad at playing tennis,” the 37-year-old Williams said, “so why not keep going?”

Victoria Azarenka, another three-time champion, swept 2012 champion Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2.

Stephens claimed her first major title in New York in September and is ranked 12th, but she arrived at Key Biscayne with a record of only 3-4 this year.

“After winning a Grand Slam, it’s not easy to come back right out and keep playing,” Stephens said. “I was so excited after winning the U.S. Open, I was living my life to the fullest. Now I’m back to my day job. It’s difficult. It takes confidence and hard work.”

On the men’s side, qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis lost in the follow-up to his upset of Roger Federer in the second round.