Stephens edges Monnet 6-4 7-6 in Guadalajara opener

Sloane Stephens came through a tight straight-setter against Carole Monnet, 6-4 7-6, to reach the second round of the WTA 1000 in Guadalajara. The numbers explained the closeness: Monnet actually edged the first-serve exchanges, winning 60.8 per cent of those points to Stephens' 59.3, but the American landed more first balls, 71.1 per cent against 65.4, and that extra margin of control told in the key moments. Both players struck a single ace and coughed up five double faults apiece, and neither could break clear in a second set that went to a tie-break. For Stephens, it was a hard-earned win on a demanding hard court.