An American in Paris - 5/20/2011

Date: 5/20/2011
Result: Roland Garros Qualifying Final Round, Sloane Stephens def. Anastasia Pivovarova, 6-3 6-4
Why it matters:
- Is Stephens for real?  It certainly seems like it after plowing through the qualifying draw, including beating the top seed in Pivovarova.  Away from home she's blossomed and gained critical experience that players often miss out of by getting too many home wildcards.  By grinding out tough wins in qualifying, not only do you get used to conditions at the event, which may help in the next round, but you build confidence from a three match win streak.  She has a winnable match against Baltacha in the first round of the main draw, as Baltacha withdrew from Strasbourg this week and may not be in the physical condition to grind out a win against the youngster.  Maybe there is an American story to watch for after all at this year's French Open.
- Pivovarova has to be disappointed.  Because the entry list for the French Open is based on rankings from six weeks prior, there are usually some shakeups right around the cut-off point during the next few weeks before the event.  If the current ranking list was utilized by Roland Garros to grant direct entry into the draw, Pivovarova would've been directly in, however, she had to settle as top seed in qualifying.  Such a slim margin  cost her a great opportunity to make a run in Paris.  She now has the slightly "evil" task of sitting in her hotel for a day or two and pray someone has to withdraw, so she might get into the tournament as a lucky loser.  And if so, will she be able to make the most of it?

Honorable Mentions:
- Roland Garros Qualifying Final Round, Javier Marti def. Ryan Harrison - 62 76 - Opposite story for Harrison, who opted to play the official qualifying event rather than attempt to get the USTA Wildcard to the French Open, was unable to pull off the feat.  Still, as mentioned above, a good experience for Harrison, whose attacking style might not be best suited for the clay courts.  If he plays smart tennis, he'll have a much better crack at making some impact at Wimbledon.  But it can't be pleasing to lose to another young player who has only played (and lost) one match at tour level in his career.  Marti will get his second chance at the elite level (and first match at a major) against countryman Albert Ramos - which might just be winnable.
- Brussels SF, Peng Shuai def. Vera Zvonareva - 63 63 - Hats off to Peng, who just keeps winning no matter the surface.  She really bullied Zvonareva around the court and dictated.  For as consistent as Zvonareva is (and Wozniacki, too), clay is about smart aggression more than pure patience these days.  Zvonareva will have to remember how to take the initiative if she wants to make a big impact in Paris.