And Does Size Matter
No. 11 Simona Halep vs. No. 12 Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Stephens leads 2-1
Remember when some insisted the retirements of Martina Hingis and Justine Henin marked the end of women shorter than 5-10 winning Grand Slam singles titles and the start of the WTA's amazon age?
Toss the tape measure aside and try this fact on: Since the 5-9 Serena Williams won the 2009 Australian Open, 16 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles have been won by women standing 5-9 or shorter. The success of Halep and Stephens reinforces the fact that timing, technique, court coverage and all-surface acumen still matter more than size.
The 5-6 Halep rocketed up the rankings from No. 47 at the end of 2012 to a year-end rank of No. 11 in 2013, earning WTA Most Improved Player of the Year honors. The 5-7 Stephens showed flashes of elite form, knocking off a hobbled Serena to reach the Australian Open semifinals and advancing to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, losing to eventual-champion Marion Bartoli.
Both are bound for the Top 10, and each exhibits what the other aspires to achieve. Halep was at her best in WTA tournaments -- winning six titles on three different surfaces -- but was underwhelming in Grand Slam play, losing in the opening round of both the Australian Open (to Stephens) and Roland Garros.
Stephens has played her most inspired tennis in Grand Slam tournaments, but can look downright disengaged in WTA events: The 20-year-old American has yet to reach a WTA final.
Both can crack the first serve and both concluded 2013 parting with coaches: Halep split from Adrian Marcu and Stephens, who had been coached by the USTA's David Nainkin, is now working with Paul Annacone, who formerly coached Roger Federer, Tim Henman and Pete Sampras. Halep has shown a sharper court sense and competitive instinct, but Stephens, one of the fastest women in the game, may have a higher upside if she can clearly define her style and play with more passion.
http://espn.go.com/blog/tennis/post/_/id/226/four-rivalries-could-flourish-in-2014
No. 11 Simona Halep vs. No. 12 Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Stephens leads 2-1
Remember when some insisted the retirements of Martina Hingis and Justine Henin marked the end of women shorter than 5-10 winning Grand Slam singles titles and the start of the WTA's amazon age?
Toss the tape measure aside and try this fact on: Since the 5-9 Serena Williams won the 2009 Australian Open, 16 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles have been won by women standing 5-9 or shorter. The success of Halep and Stephens reinforces the fact that timing, technique, court coverage and all-surface acumen still matter more than size.
The 5-6 Halep rocketed up the rankings from No. 47 at the end of 2012 to a year-end rank of No. 11 in 2013, earning WTA Most Improved Player of the Year honors. The 5-7 Stephens showed flashes of elite form, knocking off a hobbled Serena to reach the Australian Open semifinals and advancing to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, losing to eventual-champion Marion Bartoli.
Both are bound for the Top 10, and each exhibits what the other aspires to achieve. Halep was at her best in WTA tournaments -- winning six titles on three different surfaces -- but was underwhelming in Grand Slam play, losing in the opening round of both the Australian Open (to Stephens) and Roland Garros.
Stephens has played her most inspired tennis in Grand Slam tournaments, but can look downright disengaged in WTA events: The 20-year-old American has yet to reach a WTA final.
Both can crack the first serve and both concluded 2013 parting with coaches: Halep split from Adrian Marcu and Stephens, who had been coached by the USTA's David Nainkin, is now working with Paul Annacone, who formerly coached Roger Federer, Tim Henman and Pete Sampras. Halep has shown a sharper court sense and competitive instinct, but Stephens, one of the fastest women in the game, may have a higher upside if she can clearly define her style and play with more passion.
http://espn.go.com/blog/tennis/post/_/id/226/four-rivalries-could-flourish-in-2014
