A compelling story is emerging out of all the doubt surrounding American tennis. A young African American female, by the name of Sloane Stephens, is quietly, but surely making major inroads into becoming, according to tennis legend John McEnroe, “the next American superstar.”
En route to taking out former French Open champion and top ten player, Francesca Schiavone [22] of Italy, at Armstrong stadium on Day 2 of the 2012 US Open, it was apparent that Stephens not only has the easy power and versatility required to become great, but she also has the ability to remain cool under pressure and close out big matches. Dangerously down 0-30 in what was to be her opportunity to serve it out for the win, Stephens blazed an ace down the tee, knocked Schiavone off balance with daring, but powerful ground strokes and emphatically took out the accomplished, seeded Italian, 6-3, 6-4.
