MELBOURNE — The Day 1 schedule at the Australian Open featured 15 Americans hitting the bright blue courts of Melbourne Park. Only three remained in the draw by the time day turned into night.
No. 13-seeded Sloane Stephens kicked things off for the red, white and blue inside Margaret Court Arena against Zhang Shuai. The biggest question was which Stephens would come to the court on Monday: the US Open champion, or the rusty player she’s been since New York?
Despite a promising start, Stephens would lose her eighth straight match, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Stephens has not walked off the court a winner since capturing the US Open in September. But she's not that worried about it.
"I wouldn't call them tough times. Everyone is so depressed and so down. It happens to everyone," she said. "Like, eventually I'll start, what I told you in D.C., I'm going to beat someone eventually. I will have the best Instagram picture when I finally snap this losing streak. It's just a learning experience."