US Open winner Stephens retires at Zhuhai

Sloane Stephens retired in her match against Barbora Strycova at the WTA Elite Trophy on Friday, extending her winless streak since lifting the US Open trophy in September.


The American, part of the US team looking ahead to next weekend’s Fed Cup final against Belarus, crashed out of the tournament in Zhuhai with a knee injury and sealed her defeat to Czechoslovakia’s Strycova 5-0.
“My knee wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do,” she told journalists after the match.
“So, yeah, it’s like it’s better to just stop now, because obviously I wasn’t moving too quickly out there. I just thought, yeah, better if I just stop.”
She added that she hoped to be fit enough for the Fed Cup.
“Obviously I’ve got to get my knee in order first. Hopefully I can do that before next weekend.”