By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, April 9, 2016
Sloane Stephens held a 6-1, 3-0 lead when Angelique Kerber retired, sending the 25th-ranked American into her third final of the season.
Photo credit: Volvo Car Open
First impressions don't always reveal final intentions. Sloane Stephens shanked the first shot she struck in today's gusty Charleston semifinal.
After that unruly start, Stephens spent the rest of the day playing near immaculate tennis.
More: Giorgi Powers Into Third Straight Katowice Final
The 25th-ranked American tamed unpredictable conditions and reigning champion Angelique Kerber building a 6-1, 3-0 lead before the top seed pulled the plug suffering from a viral illness.
The Australian Open champion's departure sent Stephens into her third final of the season. She will meet Russia's Elena Vesnina in the final. Vesnina became the first qualifier to reach the final in the tournament's 44-year history with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 triumph over fifth-seeded Sara Errani in Saturday's second semifinal.
"I was playing well hitting pretty solid. I honestly had no idea there was anything wrong," Stephens told ESPN's Pam Shriver and Cliff Drysdale afterward. "I definitely was pretty clear from the beginning what I wanted to do. I executed well and that's all I can really ask for.
"The wind was crazy today. I shanked on the first shot because the was going everywhere. It's tough playing in the wind, but it's tough on both of us."
Charleston was a championship springboard for Kerber, who had posted a 65-18 record collecting five titles in seven finals since winning the 2015 Charleston championship. But after losing a tight opening game today, Kerber was as flat as her shots that frequently expired in net.
"Actually, when I was warming up this morning I felt a little bit like something is wrong," Kerber said. "But I was thinking that when I'm going on court then energy will come back and I'm feeling okay. And it starts in the first few games of the first set that I was feeling that something is not good."
Striking with conviction and covering the court beautifully, Stephens hit 14 winners against only four unforced errors.
On a blustery day, Stephens came out playing with urgency.
Moving her feet quickly and taking small preparation steps, she broke to open the match then stuck a fine forehand volley into the corner to back up the break.
When a Stephens return down the line dropped right inside the baseline she had her second straight break and a 3-0 advantage. A relaxed Stephens moved up quickly to a mid-court ball and swept a forehand crosscourt bursting out to an ideal 4-0 start.
Sliding into some defensive stretched replies, Stephens earned another break point in the fifth game. Kerber withstood it and grinded through the test to hold for the first time.
One of the few Kerber highlights came when she conceded a Stephens winner, swiping away the ball mark with her sole and signaling good with her hand. That gesture drew respectful applause from the crowd and sealed a Stephens love hold.
Stephens hit 11 winners against just two errors, won 12 of 16 points played on her first serve and reeled off eight of the final nine points roaring through the opening set in 25 minutes.
Looking completely out of sorts at that point, an erratic Kerber netted a backhand then double-faulted into the bottom of the net gifting a fourth break and a 2-0 second-set lead.
An emotional Kerber took a medical timeout where she had her blood-pressure taken. When play resumed Stephens put an ace off the line. She slid another ace off the line for 3-0 and with that Kerber walked to net to shake hands and call it a day.
It's been a wild season of extremes for Stephens, who is into her third final in six tournaments starts to go along with opening-round exits in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami. Stephens' toughest adversary is sometimes herself. When she's engaged, moving with purpose and striking with clarity she can play with anyone.
"It was just two tough weeks, but to be able to come here and win some matches in a place I've never really done well in six years is pretty good; it shows improvement," Stephens said. "To have a clear plan before I go on court and stick to that the whole time has worked for me as well.
"I'm excited to be back in another final this year and happy to have more match wins under my belt."