In one of the most shocking performances of the tournament, and possibly the year, world number four #SloaneStephens put in an uninspired performance against qualifier #StefanieVoegele in the second round of the #BNPParibasOpen, going down without putting much of a resistance and fight.
Stephens claimed just three games and was bagelled by the world number 109, who now owns a commanding 5-1 lead against the 2017 US Open champion in the most extraordinary head-to-head one could ever imagine.
The lack of effort was astonishing considering how Stephens came into the match as the overwhelming favourite and even had the chance to run away with the world number one title had she lifted the title at the end of this week. However, the exact reason why the American is so close, yet so far from the top rank is because of performances like this — unspirited, and lacklustre.
Stephens gets off to fast start but Voegele fights back in style
Ironically it was Stephens who had the better start into the match; winning six of the first seven points as she looked on course to break serve and make this a routine victory. After her struggles at the start of 2019, the American looked to shrug off all the troubles and worries but performances like this will just undo all her hard work.
Voegele survived a nervy opening service game before firing a stunning backhand winner which barely landed on the line to grab the first break of serve. Stephens looked sluggish and listless, which allowed the Swiss to easily consolidate the break for a 3-1 lead. Nonetheless, the home favourite was able to remain in contention with a tough hold from 0-30 down, showcasing her redirecting abilities as she sent down a forehand down-the-line winner to minimize the deficit.
Stephens then had the golden opportunity to return level but her chances sneaked away within a blink of an eye. Even lady luck was shining on Voegele as the American’s forehand on her first break point hit the netcord twice before falling on her own side. There was some form of life found in Stephens’ game although things just were not going her way as her floating forehand narrowly went wide on her second chance.
When Stephens is not having it, her game seemed like a machine for unforced errors. Voegele took full advantage of it and held on for a commanding two-game advantage. Although Stephens managed to hold her ground as well, she was unable to serve to stay in the set as she was broken for the second time in the afternoon to concede the first set 6-3 after 39 minutes of play.
Voegele strolls to the surprisingly routine win
Stephens had a decent chance to break in the opening game of the second set but was wasteful on her opportunities once more. She started to completely lose the plot and found her mind wandering elsewhere. A sluggish-looking backhand gifted Voegele the break, and the match was essentially all but over.
Winning 12 of the last 13 points, Voegele was stamping all over the fourth-ranked Stephens who could not offer much in her store. A tired-looking forehand was the killer for the American, who was broken on the third successive occasion as Voegele edged closer to a spot in the third round.
An improbable comeback was on the cards, but Stephens went 0/3 on break points in the fifth game with her closest shot at a break being a backhand which went long by just a couple of millimetres. Stephens delayed her exit by just one point with her second winner of the set, but Voegele ultimately finished her strong display with a 6-3, 6-0 win after just 68 minutes of action although Stephens’ poor performance was the overarching story of the match.
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