BREAKING: Unseeded American Peyton Stearns Stuns No. 5 Seed Madison Keys at Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Advances to Second Consecutive WTA 1000 Fourth Round
Peyton Stearns Stuns the Clay Court World: The Rise of an Unconventional American Contender
Upset Alert in Rome! Stearns Ousts No. 5 Seed Keys, Reaches Fourth Round
In a stunning display of grit and skill, American tennis star Peyton Stearns scripted her biggest win yet at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The unseeded 23-year-old defeated compatriot and fifth seed Madison Keys 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(3) in a third-round thriller, storming into her second consecutive WTA 1000 fourth round. Stearns will now face either Naomi Osaka or Marie Bouzkova in her quest for a maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
Stearns in action at the 2024 Miami Open
Stearns: The Unlikely Clay Court Specialist
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Stearns cut her teeth on indoor hard courts. She even admitted to "hating" country club green clay courts initially, as they didn’t cater to her aggressive instincts. However, as a professional, she found love at first sight on red clay, with both her career finals coming on the surface – a runner-up finish at Bogota 2023 and a maiden title in Rabat last year.
Her comfort on clay is unusual for an American player, given the scarcity of red clay courts in the United States. But Stearns has embraced the surface, utilizing her heavy topspin forehand to great effect and mastering the art of sliding on the red dirt. She comes into Rome on the back of a strong showing in Madrid, where she reached the fourth round herself.
The Formidable Coach-Westward
Stearns’ recent success can be attributed, in part, to her new coach Blaz Kavcic. When her former coach Tom Hill left to rejoin Maria Sakkari in April, Stearns took an unconventional approach to finding a replacement – she turned to social media. Her humorous post "Looking for a new coach…DMs are open"-shot her an international spotlight, though Kavcic wasn’t one of the suitors.
The Slovenian, a former ATP top 70 player, got in touch through a mutual friend. Working together for just two tournaments, Stearns and Kavcic have already produced spectacular results, with back-to-back WTA 1000 Round of 16 appearances.
Did you know?
Stearns’ previous encounter with Keys ended in her favor due to Keys’ retirement midway through the third set, with Stearns leading 3-0. This time, though, Stearns showed no mercy, wrapping up a hard-fought victory in style.
Pro Tip
Stearns attributes her improved performances on clay to her new coach Kavcic. In her words, "He came with a spark… He’s really helped me fine-tune some things in my game that needed it."
FAQ
Why is Stearns successful on clay, a surface rare in the USA?
Stearns attributes her comfort on clay to her ability to slide and use her heavy topspin forehand effectively on the surface.
What role has Blaz Kavcic played in Stearns’ impressive run?
Kavcic has brought a new level of confidence and strategy to Stearns’ game, helping her reach consecutive WTA 1000 Round of 16 stages.
Stearns: The Future of American Clay Court Tennis?
With no red clay courts available in the USA, how has Stearns become a beacon of hope for American clay-court tennis? By embracing a newfound love for the surface, refining her game with the help of an unconventional coach, and defying expectations with stunning upsets, Stearns has carved a niche for herself on the slowest surface in tennis.
As she continues her run in Rome, one thing is clear – Stearns isn’t just another promising young American player. She’s a clay-court contender, carving her own path and redefining the narrative for American tennis on the red dirt.
Join the Conversation
What do you think of Peyton Stearns’ remarkable rise on clay? Can she maintain her momentum and secure a WTA 1000 quarterfinal? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to explore more tennis articles on 247sports.new for all the latest news and expert analysis!