Stephens Approaches AO Main Draw with No Regrets

Morgan Winslow

ago 1 hour

Stephens Approaches AO Main Draw with No Regrets as she seeks to regain her form ahead of the tournament. The professional tennis player is concentrating on refining her game, particularly her serve.

Focus on Improvement

Currently sitting at rank 112, Stephens is determined to return to the top 100. She previously achieved her highest ranking of No. 69 in October. “I want to get back into the top 100,” she stated, emphasizing that she prefers enjoying the game rather than stressing over results.

Upcoming Matches

In her final round of qualifying, Stephens is set to meet Anastasia Gasanova. Gasanova recently triumphed with a comeback victory against Justina Mikulskyte, finishing with a score of 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-0. This match will be crucial in determining Stephens’ path to the main draw.

Competition Highlights

In other qualifying matches, 20th seed Linda Fruhvirtova also advanced closer to the main draw. She fought hard to defeat Fiona Ferro, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a lengthy two hours and 26 minutes.

Fruhvirtova’s Dedication

The Czech player, who previously ranked as high as No. 49 after her fourth-round appearance at AO 2023, expressed her love for the Australian tournament. “It’s one of my favourite stops of the season,” she noted. Fruhvirtova is thrilled to play in front of the Melbourne crowd, stating, “I love playing in front of the Melbourne crowd, so I’m excited I get to play another match.”

Future Challenges

Fruhvirtova will face Carol Young Suh Lee in the final qualifying round. Lee dominated her last match against Elena Micic with a decisive score of 6-2, 6-2. Prior to this matchup, Fruhvirtova will participate in the 1 Point Slam, having successfully qualified for the event.

Rankings: Stephens – 112, Fruhvirtova – 20th seed
Notable Quotes: “I want to get back into the top 100,” – Stephens.
Match Scores: Gasanova d. Mikulskyte, Fruhvirtova d. Ferro, Lee d. Micic.

With excitement building, both players are preparing for their upcoming challenging matches as they approach the AO main draw. Their dedication to improvement and love for the game is evident as they step into the competitive arena.