Sloane Stephens reached the Guadalajara WTA 500 quarterfinals by defeating Janice Tjen 7-6(4), 7-6(3). The match was played on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Mexico, with the American overcoming the fifth seed in two tiebreaks.
Two tiebreaks, two answers
The first set reached 4-4 without a break of serve before rain interrupted play for roughly half an hour. In the tiebreak, Stephens led 4-0, saw Tjen draw level and then won the next three points.
The second set demanded a bigger recovery. Tjen built a 5-2 lead with two breaks, but Stephens reclaimed both and forced another tiebreak. The American again delivered in the tiebreak, taking it 7-3. The official WTA video captures the highlights of their encounter.
Building confidence in Guadalajara
The 33-year-old former World No. 3 and 2017 US Open champion entered the tournament ranked No. 169. In her opener, she defeated Carole Monnet 6-4, 7-6(5), ending a run of first-round exits in her previous two appearances at the Guadalajara Open.
Stearns awaits
Stephens will next face Peyton Stearns in an all-American quarterfinal scheduled for Thursday, September 17. Stearns knocked out fourth seed Diane Parry 6-2, 7-5.
Stearns' progress also featured a notable recovery: she lost the opening four games of the second set against Parry, won the next five and went on to complete the victory. Both Americans head into their meeting after beating seeded opponents in straight sets.
