Stephens Defeated in Her Big Return to Competition in the First Round of the WTA 500 in Guadalajara

Sloane Stephens was forced to return to the court this Wednesday to finish her first-round match at the WTA 500 tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. Facing Lucrezia Stefanini, the American—who was playing her first main tour match since February due to foot surgery—had been interrupted by rain the previous day when she was just one game away from leveling the match at one set apiece.

After finally managing to reset the score, Stephens, a tournament wildcard still lacking match rhythm, couldn't hold on in the third set and ultimately lost (6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in 2 hours and 19 minutes over two days).

Stefanini, ranked 148th in the world and a qualifier, advances to the round of 16 where she will face defending champion Magdalena Frech. As for Stephens, this marks her tenth consecutive loss since the 2024 Wimbledon tournament.