Stephens sails past former champion Muguruza at Roland Garros

Sloane Stephens needed a few tries once again, but she got the job done to best 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza in the Roland Garros fourth round, 6-4, 6-3.

"I think she's been playing some good tennis, and I think so have I," Stephens said. "So it was kind of just a little battle, but obviously the score sometimes doesn't reflect what was actually happening out there."

Overshadowed mightily by the five-set saga going on next door between Stan Wawrinka and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Stephens put up an all-around solid performance to fight back from Muguruza's fast start. Perfectly comfortable on the red clay, the 2019 finalist put pressure on Muguruza, forcing the Spaniard to paint the lines thanks to her court coverage.

In the final game, Muguruza had to hit outright winners within centimeters of the line to get away from Stephens' sliding reach. She was so eager she even overhit two swinging volleys that should have been routine winners.

"I think Mugu is one of the most intense players out on tour," Stephens said. "She has a lot of good, strong energy. And I think sometimes if you get too passive, that kind of takes over you and your game, like, what you're trying to do."

Stephens stayed calm throughout the Muguruza swinging storm, and didn't even flinch at needing five match points to close out the win. In her third round over Polona Hercog, Stephens needed six match points, four of which she had in the second set.

This time around, life was a lot easier as she heads to the quarterfinals after just two sets. She'll face Johanna Konta on Tuesday.

Catch up on Week 1 at Roland Garros on the TENNIS.com Podcast: