INDIAN WELLS, California, (Reuters) – Top seed Serena Williams overcame a wobbly start to see off a determined Sloane Stephens 6-7 (3) 6-2 6-2 yesterday and advance to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Williams, playing her third match at Indian Wells after deciding to end a 14-year boycott of the event where she had suffered alleged racist abuse, enjoyed plenty of support but struggled early to find her form.
Stephens, who reached the quarter-finals a year ago, looked ready to return to the last eight after breaking Williams twice to open the match but in the end there was no denying Williams as she extended her winning run to 14 matches.
“I don’t feel like I need to come here and win the trophy,” Williams told reporters. “I feel like this is more than I have ever imagined doing. I never imagined even having an opportunity to come back.
“I feel like I have been a champ here, and I’m really happy with every match that I win and every result. For me it’s all icing on the court.”
