Tennis

Peyton Stearns Stuns Daria Kasatkina in Late-Night Roland Garros ThrillerIn a captivating night of tennis at Roland Garros, unseeded American Peyton Stearns pulled off a stunning upset, eliminating No. 10 seed Daria Kasatkina in a match that stretched well past midnight.Despite the long wait to get on court due to rain delays, Stearns remained unfazed. The 22-year-old from Cincinnati, who won an NCAA singles title at the University of Texas, unleashed 17 forehand winners to defeat Kasatkina 7-5, 6-2."You just kind of don't know what to expect," said Stearns about the unpredictable schedule. "You have to accept that."Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, struggled to cope with the situation. "Mentally, it's tough to face the day when it's a long wait," she said. "You have to be calm, but at the same time, you have to be ready to jump on the court. And you don't know when."Stearns' victory was not the only upset of the day. No. 9 Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 champion in Paris, lost to Denmark's Clara Tauson, while No. 11 Danielle Collins was defeated by Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic.On the men's side, No. 25 Frances Tiafoe and No. 31 Mariano Navone were eliminated. Tiafoe's frosty handshake with Denis Shapovalov after their match drew attention, as Tiafoe had accidentally hit Shapovalov in the head with a tennis ball.Despite the weather disruptions, several top players advanced, including No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No. 4 Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz, and two-time runner-up Casper Ruud.Stearns' victory was particularly impressive given her recent success. She claimed her first career WTA title last week in Rabat, Morocco, and is now working with Tom Hill, who previously coached Maria Sakkari."I was like, 'Look, just stay. Please," Stearns said about her mother, who had planned to leave after the first round. "We've got to keep this going."With her mother now assisting with her warmups and cool downs, Stearns is determined to continue her impressive run at Roland Garros.

Peyton Stearns, the 22-year-old American tennis sensation, has once again defied the odds, this time at the prestigious Roland Garros tournament in Paris. Despite facing adversity in both her quarterfinal and second-round matches, Stearns has emerged victorious, showcasing her remarkable resilience and determination.In her quarterfinal clash with Lucia Bronzetti, Stearns found herself trailing 0-5 in the third set. However, the former Texas Longhorn star displayed her unwavering spirit, winning seven consecutive games and saving two match points to secure a stunning victory.A few days later, Stearns faced another formidable opponent in Lucija Ciric Bagaric. Leading 6-3, 5-4, 40-15, Stearns faltered, committing four consecutive faults. She was broken in that game and again two games later, giving Ciric Bagaric three match points in the subsequent tiebreaker.Undeterred, Stearns fought back, escaping the clutches of defeat once more. Ciric Bagaric, despite her impressive record in lower-level tournaments, was unable to capitalize on her opportunities. Stearns broke her Croatian opponent and ultimately prevailed in a thrilling 6-3, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (6) victory.Stearns' remarkable run at Roland Garros is a testament to her unwavering belief in herself and her ability to overcome adversity. Her ability to turn the tide of matches when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds is a testament to her mental fortitude and competitive spirit.As the tournament progresses, Stearns will undoubtedly face even greater challenges. However, her recent performances have demonstrated that she is a force to be reckoned with. With her fearless determination and unwavering belief, Stearns has the potential to make a deep run at Roland Garros and establish herself as one of the rising stars of women's tennis.