Summary Sorana Cirstea beat Sloane Stephens 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Dubai Championship.
Sloane Stephens lost in the first round of the Dubai Championship on Monday, the latest setback for the rising American star who reached the Australian Open semifinals.
Stephens, who has reached a career high 16 in the world rankings since knocking out Serena Williams in Melbourne, lost to Sorana Cirstea of Romania 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
"It was a rough day, and I think she obviously played some good tennis," Stephens said. "Every match isn t going to go the way you want it, and obviously I got a little frustrated. Things happen, but, I mean, no need to dwell on it."
Eleneth-ranked Marion Bartoli also advanced, coming from a set down to beat Klara Zakopalova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Last week, the 19-year-old Stephens lost to Zakopalova in the third round of the Qatar Open after wasting two match points. She smashed her racket afterward.
