WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Sloane Stephens staged an emphatic comeback win against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to make last eight of the women's singles at the Volvo Car Open held in Charleston, the United States on Friday.
World No. 8 Stephens found herself trying to fight out of a deficit in all three sets, coming back from a set and 0-3 to force a third set, and then again coming back from a break down at 3-4 to win the last three games of the match.
A Charleston champion in 2016, the win put the American into her first quarterfinal of the season.
"For the first time in a long time I really was like, I gotta win some big matches," Stephens said. "Like, I wanted to be out there, and I was really fighting, and I didn't care what it took. I definitely think my attitude is what won me the match today."
"It's just obviously a slow start to the season," Stephens said of her inconsistent form in the new season. "You gotta figure it out somewhere, and it eventually gets going, but you have to make it happen for yourself. Like I have to show energy and fight and try to turn it around for myself."
Asked why she wanted to win this match more than other recent matches, Stephens was nothing but honest. "Because I was tired of losing! It sucks!"
Stephens faces No. 8 seed and compatriot Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.
