It’s been nearly 10 years since one of the Williams sisters played another American in a Grand Slam quarterfinal but today 19-year-old Sloane Stephens takes on 15-time Grand Slam champion Serena on Rod Laver Arena.
Join us for all the commentary and live scores this afternoon.
Ranked number 25 in the world, Stephens is currently the youngest woman in the WTA inside the top 40. However, despite her tender age and lack of experience on the professional tour, Stephens has so far proved herself on the world stage.
Stephens made it to the fourth round of the French Open in 2012 and stunned former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone in the first round of the US Open last year.
2013 has been a terrific year so far for the Los Angeles native, who not only reached the quarter-finals in Brisbane a few weeks ago, only to be knocked out by Serena, but also made it to the semi-finals in Hobart before making the journey to Melbourne Park.
Today’s match will be the first quarterfinal appearance by Stephens and she has vocally expressed how excited she is to play against her idol.
Her run to the quarterfinal stage has been relatively easy, having not faced another seeded player and only losing one set, against Bojana Jovanovski in the last round, along the way.
However today’s match is a whole other story.
The match-up between these two will be only the second of their careers, with 31-year-old Williams taking the honours after her straight sets win in Brisbane.
It’s hard to go past Williams on any given day but against an opponent who is only 19-years-old and never played in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, it’s expected the world number three will steam roll it home.
Her incredible power will prove too much for Stephens and her experience and utter dominance of the game will ensure her 20-match winning streak will continue that little bit longer.
Williams in straight sets.
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
Great result for Stephens. Bolter for title?
Johnno
Guest
This is a special day for African-American tennis. So few African American tennis players, have starred on the big stage in tennis history Arthur Ashes, Zina Garrison, Malavi Washington, the Williams sisters, and now Sloane Stephens. But 2 have 2 African American players shining outside of the Williams sisters, is amazing.
hawker
Guest
well done Sloane Stephens, fantastic result!!
ayoung
Roar Guru
I think the world is falling in love with this young girl. What an incredible performance. Having never given up she put her foot down from the get go and stayed in first gear throughout the match. An absolute career defining win for the youngster who I have no doubt we'll see so much more of in the years to come. She now makes her way into the semi finals and comes up against the formidable Victoria Azarenka. If this match is anything to go by, we are sure not going to rule this young girl out and it's going to be a cracker of a fame on RLA tomorrow. Be sure to tune in then to see how that came unfolds. Stephens 3 7 6 Williams 6 5 4
ayoung
Roar Guru
GAME SET MATCH STEPHENS - And she's done it!! What an absolute fantastic performance by the youngster who despite the drama and ridiculous tension has knocked out the world number three!!
ayoung
Roar Guru
It's looking good at the moment for Stephens who has two match points after Serena carves up three errors. MATCH POINT STEPHENS. no one saw this coming.. Stephens 3 7 5 Williams 6 5 4
ayoung
Roar Guru
It's a case of anything you can do I can do better in this game as both players exchange ridiculous winners surpassing the 140km/hr mark. Stephens comes out on top and holds serve with some excellent dictating of play. She comes into the net on the back of a backhand slice at deuce to force Serena to hit an error into the net before finishing off the game again with some terrific defence. Stephens 3 7 5 Williams 6 5 4
ayoung
Roar Guru
BREAK STEPHENS - It's not over yet and Stephens breaks back to once again level it up in the third. Great defence by the youngster who is not only forcing Serena into errors but is creating space for herself. Terrific player in the making. After saving one break point when Stephens sends her return long Serena can't stave off the next one as she sends a backhand into the net. Game on. Stephens 3 7 5 Williams 6 5 5
ayoung
Roar Guru
BREAK WILLIAMS - Ridiculous power by Serena and she whacks a backhand return cross court for a clean winner and her third break point. This time she finally gets it after some fabulous defence forces Stephens to hit the deep forehand on the rise into the net. Big fist pump by the world number three as she serves for a 5-3 lead. What drama this match has had and what a turnaround by Serena Williams. Great tennis. Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 4
ayoung
Roar Guru
Unlucky deep forehand by Stephens lands just long and it's a second break point for Williams but in a battle of the backhand rally it's back to deuce after Serena hits yet another unforced error into the net. Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 3
ayoung
Roar Guru
Tremendous defence from Stephens and courageous hustling from Serena but it's Williams makes the errors with two backhands into the net and it's now back to deuce. Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 3
ayoung
Roar Guru
Great point by both players as a 26 shot rally goes the way of Williams who is trying to pump herself and the crowd up. She's fighting tooth and nail and is getting back into it. Two break points for the number three seed. Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 3
ayoung
Roar Guru
Serena will an emotional come on who looks like she's about to cry. She wants it. Bad. She forces Sloane into some unforced errors and holds on for 3-3. Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 3
ayoung
Roar Guru
Nice work by Stephens who holds to 15 with some tremendous back court play. Although Williams is injured she's certainly in the driving seat at the moment and is dictating most of the points. Can she go all the way and cause an upset? Stephens 3 7 3 Williams 6 5 2
ayoung
Roar Guru
Serena still struggling on serve and faces a break point but hustles with some net movements to bring it back to deuce. She's moving a little free-er now which is a good sign. Maybe the drugs have kicked in. Anyway, she holds and it's 2-2. Stephens 3 7 2 Williams 6 5 2
ayoung
Roar Guru
Serena called for a foot-fault! Luckily no "Are you serious, I want to kill you" moments for the lines person. In fact she rather politely clarifies with him as to which foot it was. Must have learnt her lesson. Stephens 3 7 2 Williams 6 5 1
ayoung
Roar Guru
Tension building on Serena who smashes her racquet in frustration at the end of that last game. And I mean smash. Not happy Jan. Stephens 3 7 2 Williams 6 5 1
ayoung
Roar Guru
Comfortable hold once again for Stephens and it's 2-1. Despite being in real agony and struggling for movement and pace Serena is trying to give it all she can at the moment and that's a true testament to herself. She's not the one to give up lightly and will battle on till the end. That's why she's a true champion. Stephens 3 7 2 Williams 6 5 1
ayoung
Roar Guru
Serena holds but on no merit of her own really, Stephens makes four errors to hand her the game to 15. Stephens 3 7 1 Williams 6 5 1
ayoung
Roar Guru
This is seriously hard to watch. Serena just whacking the ball back now in the hope Stephens will make an error. She is successful twice but can't go much further. Stephens holds for the first game. Stephens 3 7 1 Williams 6 5 0