Sloane Stephens Stuns Venus Williams

Published July 9, 2009
By Staff

In the biggest night of the year, Sloane Stephens of the New York Buzz earned one her biggest victories of her young career, shocking former world No. 1 Venus Williams 5-3 in women's singles World TeamTennis play.

Playing in front of near 3,000 at Albany's SEFCU Arena including Billie Jean King, the Buzz's USTA juniors were edged by the visiting Philadelphia Freedoms 21-19 in a highly competitive match which featured the 7-time Slam winner Williams.

The Buzz fell behind early dropping the opening set 5-2 in men's doubles. But Alex Domijan scored a 5-3 victory over former Buzz Nathan Healey in men's singles.

The women's doubles went the Freedoms behind former WTA doubles No. 1 Lisa Raymond and Venus who slipped past Stephens and Mallory Burdette 5-4.

In the marquee match of the night, 16-year-old Stephens upset Williams in very impressive fashion to level the tie. But Venus turned the tables in the finale teaming with Healey to win the mixed doubles 5-3 sealing victory for the Freedoms.

The Buzz now head to Kansas City Friday night then Washington on Sunday, before welcoming Martina Navratilova and her Boston Lobsters to town on Tuesday, July 14. Tickets for Martina night are available by calling 518-378-BUZZ (2899).

Philadelphia Freedoms def. NEW YORK BUZZ 21-19
Men's Doubles - Nathan Healey\Eric Nunez (Freedoms) def. Alex Domijan\Tennys Sandgren (Buzz) 5-2
Men's Singles - Alex Domijan (Buzz) def. Nathan Healey (Freedoms) 5-3
Women's Doubles - Lisa Raymond\Venus Williams (Freedoms) def. Mallory Burdette\Sloane Stephens (Buzz) 5-4
Women's Singles - Sloane Stephens (Buzz) def. Venus Williams (Freedoms) 5-3
Mixed Doubles - Venus Williams\Nathan Healey (Freedoms) def. Sloane Stephens\Tennys Sandgren (Buzz) 5-3