The first four matches of the Round of 16 at the WTA 500 Guadalajara Open have concluded, and the day was marked by an emotional and impressive victory from a former Grand Slam champion. While the favorites largely met expectations, one wild-card entry stole the show on the Mexican hard courts.
A Triumph of Will: Sloane Stephens Shines Again
Former US Open champion (2017) and Roland Garros finalist (2018), American Sloane Stephens, received a wild card for this tournament and immediately proved she still belongs at the top of the game. In the Round of 16, Stephens upset the fifth seed, Janice Tjen, defeating her in two tight sets – 7:6(7), 7:6(3).
This victory carries enormous weight considering what the American has been through. After winning the title in Rouen in 2024, she suffered a severe injury – a stress fracture in her right foot. This injury kept her almost entirely off the court in 2025, during which she played only five matches. Unable to defend her points, she experienced a steep drop in the WTA rankings, plummeting to World No. 1,075 at one point. Today, as the 169th ranked player in the world, she is showing flashes of her old championship form.
Match Statistics: Stephens vs. Tjen
Although Tjen served 11 aces compared to the American’s 2, the key to Stephens’ victory lay in her reliability on the second serve and aggressive returning.
| Statistic | Sloane Stephens (USA) | Janice Tjen (INA) |
| Aces | 2 | 11 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 5 |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 73% (40/55) | 74% (46/62) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 65% (11/17) | 32% (7/22) |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won | 68% (15/22) | 35% (6/17) |
| Break Points Saved/Converted | 2/4 | 2/2 |
| Total Points Won | 53% (82/156) | 47% (74/156) |
In the quarterfinals, Sloane Stephens will face her compatriot Peyton Stearns, who routinely defeated France’s Diane Parry 6:2, 7:5 in her Round of 16 match. It will be an exciting all-American derby for a spot in the semifinals.
Other Results: Favorites Advance
In the remaining Round of 16 matches, an American player ended the last French hope in the tournament, while the seeded players justified their status:
- American Peyton Stearns defeated France’s Diane Parry (4) in straight sets – 6:2, 7:5.
- Cristina Bucsa (6) continued her great run, defeating Panna Udvardy 6:4, 6:4.
- Young Czech Sara Bejlek (3) stopped the momentum of American Alycia Parks, winning 6:4, 6:3.
Today’s Schedule: Remaining Round of 16 Matches
The battle for the final four quarterfinal spots continues today on the center court (Estadio Skarch). Top seeds Marta Kostyuk and Iva Jovic will take the court, and the schedule (in Central European Time – CET) is as follows:
| Time (CET) | Match (Round of 16) |
| 21:00 | M. Frech (7) vs C. Dolehide |
| Followed by | Z. Sonmez vs I. Jovic (2) |
| Not before 01:00 | M. Kostyuk (1) vs T. Townsend |
| Followed by | K. Day vs L. Samsonova (8) |
For the complete tournament bracket, live score updates, and a detailed daily overview of the competition, be sure to visit our central WTA 500 Guadalajara Open 2026 Guide.
