Tennis-Beaten Stephens warns Raducanu to expect rollercoaster ride

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 18, 2022 Sloane Stephens of the U.S. reacts during her first round match against Britain's Emma Raducanu REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Sloane Stephens knows only too well the vagaries of life as a professional tennis player and offered some sage advice to Emma Raducanu after being beaten by the British teenage sensation in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

The rusty American was beaten 6-0 2-6 6-1 in the battle between a former U.S. Open champion and the current one who rocketed to stardom in astonishing fashion last September.