"What is going on Sloane Stephens?! Be serious" "Sloane is so retiring after US Open" - Fans react to Emma Raducanu bageling American in Eastbourne 1R

Emma Raducanu's resounding victory over Sloane Stephens in the first round of the 2024 Rothesay International in Eastbourne has sparked a discussion among tennis fans. Several of them expressed their disappointment with the American's lackluster performance.

Raducanu and Stephens faced off in a blockbuster opening-round clash at the WTA 500 event in the lead-up to the Wimbledon Championships. Despite finding herself a break down twice in the first set, the Brit rallied to clinch the opener 6-4. She then dominated the second set, claiming a 6-4, 6-0 victory and advancing to the second round.

Emma Raducanu delivered a clinical performance, striking 23 winners and 13 unforced errors, compared to the American's 11 winners and 15 unforced errors. Sloane Stephens' loss marked her latest in a long line of early exits, dating back to her third-round finish at the Madrid Open in April.

Tennis fans were dismayed at Stephens' underwhelming performance, especially given her opportunities to win the opening set. One fan even suggested that the 31-year-old would decide to retire if her poor run continued through to the US Open.

"What is going on Sloane ??!!! Be serious 😭," one fan commented.

"Sloane is so retiring after her 2nd round loss at the US Open," another fan chimed in.

"We need to have a discussion about Sloane Stephens," said another.

Others, meanwhile, praised Emma Raducanu's commanding performance and expressed optimism for her to produce a deep run at Wimbledon.

"Solid win from Emma - she's super entertaining to watch, let's hope she can have Wimby run," one fan posted.

"Raducanu is so fun to watch when she’s firing. Stephens won 6 points in that 2nd set," another fan wrote.

"It really feels like if Emma can stay healthy, play consistently, and develop a little more strength/better fitness, she has a top 20 game, where these are the sorts of matches she should be winning. Nice to see!" said yet another.

Emma Raducanu to take on Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne 2R after win over Sloane Stephens

Emma Raducanu (Source: Getty)

Following her win over Sloane Stephens in Eastbourne, Emma Raducanu will be up against a formidable opponent in second seed Jessica Pegula. The American will enter the clash with an air of confidence, fresh off her maiden grasscourt triumph at the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin.

Pegula claimed a commanding 7-5, 6-4 victory over the Brit in their sole previous encounter at the Cincinnati Open. If Raducanu manages to level her head-to-head record against the World No. 5, she will take on the winner of the match between Daria Kasatkina and Yuan Yue in the third round of the WTA 500 event.

Following their respective campaigns in Eastbourne, Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula will compete at the Wimbledon Championships, the main draw action of which commences on July 1.