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Sloane Stephens of the United States participates in the first round of the women's singles against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on the second day of the 2018 China Open. (Photo by VCG / VCG via Getty Images)
Tennis star Sloane Stephens on Sunday criticized his opponent in the first round of the China Open, accusing Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of trying to hit her with a shot up near the goal.
Tensions began to be felt between the players generally non-combative at the end of the second set when Pavlyunchenkova – up one set and down 2 to 5 after a break in the service – called a coach at the court to treat his right shoulder.
Although it is not unusual to ask for a medical stop, the timing was surprising as it is frowned upon to ask for a delay just before an opponent is ready to serve, as this can be perceived as an attempt to freeze the other player.
The strategy seemed to work when Stephens saw his service broken when the game resumed. Still, the 25-year-old US champion held 6-4 service. But she was excited by the perceived lack of sportsmanship of her opponent.
Returning to her chair, she spoke with Chair Umpire Jenny Zhang, saying with a perceptible tinge of sarcasm, "This is our sport. Right? Sportsmanship. It's really important.
Pavlyuchenkova seemed to hear the comment and confronted Stephens, the seemingly "disrespectful" caller.
"I'm disrespectful? What is disrespectful? You called the physio at 5-2. You are not even hurt, "said Stephens.
"How do you know I'm not hurt?" Answered Pavlyuchenkova.
"Do not be ridiculous. Do not be ridiculous … No, you're disrespectful … That's good … Play the third set. That's good, Stephens replied. "You have what you want. You have the physio. So, I do not see what the problem is. "
Zhang was forced to leave her chair and stand between the two players.
Once Stephens returned to her seat, she continued to address Zhang saying, "She called the physio. She had the physio. She had what she wanted. It's good. I am allowed to say what I want. I spoke to you. I did not talk to him at all. "
At no time did any of the players raise their voices or desecrate profanities.
The match continued in the third set, Stephens quickly taking control at 3-0.
In the next match, both players scored a goal at the net, which allowed Pavlyunchenkova to hit Stephens from an aerial shot. Although playing the ball at the player's house is not unusual, the 27-year-old had plenty of free space on the back of the court to hit the ball.
Stephens managed to deflect the shot and finally earn the point. But she suspected the intention of her opponent with the shot to hurt her, saying, "This f —- ing b —- tried to hit me!
Stephens won the match in three sets, 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-4, and ended with a handshake and a serene conversation at the net, during which time he played. American was heard: All good? "
Stephens will face Zheng Saisai on Tuesday.
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