Sloane Stephens, on her 31st birthday, secured a victory against Angelique Kerber at the Miami Open, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 70 minutes. This win marks her entry into the second round of the tournament, where she will face Sorana Cirstea for the third time in a WTA 1000 event in 2024. Stephens, the 2017 US Open champ and 2018 Miami Open champion, has a favorable head-to-head record against Kerber, now standing at 6-2. The victory also coincided with Stephens equalling Venus and Serena Williams for the most WTA-1000 match appearances of any American player since the format's inception in 2009. Celebrations for Stephens' birthday were noted across various platforms, highlighting her positive mindset and contributions to tennis.
Sloane Stephens is 6-2 against Angelique Kerber, a notably great H2H for her. https://t.co/x9mdbtVzfF
Sloane Cold Winner! The Day 2 crowd were treated to some atar power as two grand slam champs duked it out in the opening round! In the end, Sloane Stephens turns on the jets, running past a resurgent Angelique Kerber, 6-2, 6-3, to set up a 2nd round clash with Sorana Cirstea. https://t.co/kqvV8M7ixu
"I'm just living life...I'm just trying to make a living!" 😄 Birthday girl @SloaneStephens shares her positive mindset and gives an update on @SS_FDN. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/6CDHU4mDDd
Birthday and match win congratulations all around 🥳 @SloaneStephens | #MiamiOpen https://t.co/ANzNXS9ogp
The 2018 champion moves 🔛 @SloaneStephens defeats Kerber in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 and is into the next round. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/iJrbw9OFvU
Happy birthday @SloaneStephens!!! The 2017 #USOpen champ celebrates with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Kerber! 🥳 #MiamiOpen https://t.co/w57NOCOQe5
Sloane Stephens vs. Sorana Cirstea for the 3rd time in a WTA 1000 in 2024 in Miami R2. Sorana won in Doha R1 Sloane won in Indian Wells R2
In a battle of Grand Slam champs, birthday girl (31) and former champ Sloane Stephens beats former #1 Angelique Keber 6-2, 6-3 in 70 minutes to reach the 2nd round in Miami. Stephens now 6-2 vs. Kerber. Likes the match up. https://t.co/QbDV5SpuPy
Happy Birthday! Sloane Stephens (31) Lara Arruabarrena (32)
Break number two for Sloane Stephens comes at love! Takes a 6-2 lead over Kerber as a result. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/FkuRTXHFXk
And she's off 💨 @SloaneStephens takes the first set over fellow Grand Slam champion Kerber 6-2. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/3hEUjcsu3h
Stephens up a set on Kerber meanwhile. Playing well. Angie doesn’t look at 100%. Maybe the same back injury that affected her vs. Wozniacki? https://t.co/bpIDD57OUH
Happy birthday to our 2017 US Open champ!! 🎉🎂🫶 @SloaneStephens https://t.co/tjhqfeozrv
Posting this point again 🔥 🤣 Happy birthday, @SloaneStephens https://t.co/krmvBp2vwQ
176 - Despite defeat, Venus Williams equalled her sister Serena (176) for the most WTA-1000 match appearances of any American player since the format’s start in 2009. Sloane Stephens will also appear in her 176th match tomorrow. Trio. #MiamiOpen | @MiamiOpen @WTA @WTA_insider https://t.co/IKZyQRmTM5