WATCH—The Hit: Stephens rides result rollercoaster

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — While Sloane Stephens didn't defend her Miami Open title this year, she's got another chance to step up when the clay season begins next week.

The defending French Open finalist is famous for going through significant ups and downs, and for maintaining her chill during it all. Though the world No. 6 went 1-2 in Indian Wells and Miami, she'll reassure you there's no reason to panic, and why shouldn't you believe her? She's been right every time. The only difference in getting her game together for her next event is that she doesn't have a full-time coach right now.

In Paris last year, America saw two semifinalists (with Stephens beating Madison Keys), but the general consensus is that Europeans and South Americans will always have the edge on dirt. Only 15 percent of courts in the United States are clay and even fewer are genuine red clay. The USTA National Campus imported 450 tons of red clay from Italy to make six courts in Orlando, which could help future generations.