PARIS — In the fading light of Monday evening, a rare flash of positivity from Sloane Stephens shone across Suzanne Lenglen Court. In their long-awaited first meeting, the 40th-ranked Stephens beat 15th-seeded Venus Williams, 7-6(5), 6-1, in the first round of the French Open.
Stephens, 22, played especially well off her less-heralded backhand side, catching Williams off guard several times by reflecting her power back to her with tightly-angled, down-the-line shots.
Stephens’s coach, Nick Saviano, said that, more than any particular shot, he was most satisfied with the positive emotion and intensity the oft-withdrawn Stephens had shown.