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French Open 2019: Sloane Stephens hopes clay will 'neutralise' Konta threat in quarter-final
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Published 04/06/2019 at 04:02 GMT+1
Sloane Stephens is hopeful that the Roland Garros clay will prove to be the "neutraliser" when she faces Johanna Konta in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday seeking a first win over the Briton.
Britain's Johanna Konta celebrates after winning against Croatia's Donna Vekic
Image credit: Getty Images
American Stephens, the runner-up in Paris last year, is looking to add a second Grand Slam trophy to her collection following her triumph at the 2017 U.S. Open but faces a potentially tough test against a resurgent opponent.
Konta, ranked number four in the world two years ago before a dip in form, cleared the opening hurdle at Roland Garros for the first time in five attempts and is seeking to improve her 2-0 win-loss record against Stephens.
But Stephens suggested the slate would be wiped clean ahead of their last-eight meeting on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
"Clay is a neutraliser. It's good for everybody... she's improved her results on clay, so she obviously is feeling good on the surface," Stephens said.
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Highlights: Konta dominates Vekic
Video credit: TNT Sports
"A quarter-final of a slam is definitely a neutraliser. There's a lot of factors that go into that. (I'm) just going to go out and execute and I'm sure she'll do the same and we'll have a good match.
In other quarter-final clashes, Japan's Kei Nishikori runs into defending champion Rafa Nadal, who is targeting a record-extending 12th Grand Slam in Paris.
Stan Wawrinka will look to end fellow Swiss Roger Federer's bid for a second title in Paris 10 years after his first.
Unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova then meets Petra Martic on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
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