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Sloane Stephens progresses in straight sets

Stephens progresses in straight sets
© AP Photos
Sloane Stephens survives a second-set fightback to earn a hard-fought win over Kristina Mladenovic in round one of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

American youngster Sloane Stephens has ensured safe passage to round two of the Rogers Cup tonight, with a straight-sets victory over Kristina Mladenovic.

Stephens started the match brightly, breaking twice in quick succession to claim the opening set in 33 minutes.

Mladenovic regrouped to put up a much sterner fight in the second set, holding serve with a series of gutsy shots under pressure at the baseline.

At 5-6 in the second set Mladenovic stayed calm to respond, saving match point to forcing a tie-breaker in Montreal.

Despite a fierce cry of "come on" following from the French starlet Stephens managed to force a pair of errors in the breaker, claiming a hard-fought second set and the match 6-2 7-6(5).

The 20-year-old now progresses to the second round, where Mona Barthel awaits after her victory over Zheng Jie earlier today.

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Caroline Wozniacki
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