There is an explanation for promising American youngster Sloane Stephen's quick exit from US Open qualifiers.
She was looking forward to the US Open junior girls tournament, where she was seeded fourth, but just prior to the first day's play commencement, Stephens’ father John died in a car accident.
The 16-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, took a day off to fly to her father’s funeral in Louisiana, then returned to win her second-round match. But she lost her next outing to Jana Cepelova of Slovakia 4-6 6-1 6-0.
"I was trying to focus and do things I should have done, but mentally I wasn’t there"
The youngster had reconnected with her father three years ago and she had met him only a handful of times, but the two had developed a relationship over the telephone.
It may pay to be cautious with upcoming matches featuring the bright talent, though the likelihood of her playing a WTA match before season's end now appear dim.
