Speaking to USA Today this month, American legend Chris Evert talked about Sloane Stephen's enormous potential.
“She’s a diamond in the rough,” said Evert, the 18-time grand slam tournament winner. “We’ve seen only three-fourths of her ability. I’m still waiting for her to wake up and reveal the whole Sloane Stephens body of work.”
Evert is not alone. The tennis world is waiting as well, but Stephens has struggled to match the hype, or expectations, that followed her win over an injured Serena Williams at last year’s Australian Open. She has sparkled occasionally but her journey over the past 14 months has generally been dismal.
In 23 tournaments since her celebrated quarter-final win over Williams in Melbourne, Stephens has lost in the first or second round nine times and has failed to go beyond the quarter-finals in any. Her win-loss record for 2014 is an ordinary 9-6 and the American, who celebrated her 21st birthday last Thursday, is a disappointing No 27 on the Road to Singapore rankings.
With Paul Annacone, former coach to Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, guiding her since November, Stephens had made a good start to the year, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open before losing to Victoria Azarenka. First-round exits followed at Doha and Dubai but then she bounced back to reach the last-eight at Indian Wells.
But then, as in the past when her consistency has been her greatest drawback, Stephens lasted only 55 minutes on court against Caroline Wozniacki in the third round at Miami on Sunday, committing 37 unforced errors and winning only 26 points as she was blown away 6-1, 6-0.
“It was just straight-up bad,” Stephens said. “I have been playing good, practising good. Everything has been good. Just kind of a disappointing night for me. It’s just something – it just happened. I couldn’t fight my way out of it.”
That has happened too often in the past. Too many times, Stephens has looked weak mentally and that perhaps explains why, despite her talents, she is yet to reach a final in 57 main draw appearances on the WTA Tour.
“I haven’t seen that sense of urgency and win-at-all-costs look that she eventually has to have if she’s going to be a top player,” Evert said.
She does seem to have that desire at the grand slam events, where she has reached the last 16 or better in five consecutive appearances.
In 2013, she was one of only three players – alongside Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska – to reach the last 16 at all four majors.
She must bring that attitude to the other events or risk being remembered as a one-match wonder.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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