On her return, the World No.24 faced something of a nemesis opponent. Sevastova had won all three of their previous encounters - each in wildly fluctuating three-set battles, usually the territory on ...

No.15 seed Coco Gauff had lost to Anastasija Sevastova in three previous three-setters, but posted her first win over the Latvian in straight sets to open her Omnium Banque Nationale campaign.

At 40-30, Sevastova missed her first serve, spun in a 72-m.p.h. serve and kept enough balls in the court long enough for Stephens, on the 10th ball of rally, to hit a down-the-line shot into the net.