The Connecticut Open (2017 Wta New Haven) tennis tournament isn't exactly a blockbuster event on the women's tour. The tournament's timing isn't great as it takes place on the American east coast just ahead of the start of play from Flushing Meadows. Accordingly, it doesn't always bring the big players and this season's field is not overwhelmingly deep in talent. However, Agnieszka Radwanska is in the draw as the top seed while Sloane Stephens is also in the tournament as she continues her comeback.
2017 Connecticut Open preview
Between Stephens and Radwanska, it is probably the former that is more into the New Haven tournament in terms of competitiveness.
Radwanska's edge over the competition appears to be lost for the moment, and she is generally sliding down the rankings. At this point, the Polish player, who has been ranked as high as No. 2, is clinging on to a top-ten ranking. She hasn't really done anything too significant on tour since making the Sydney final way back in Australia, but even that tournament was a low-tiered one. Big results are lacking for Radwanska at this point in her career.
But Stephens enters New Haven coming off of back-to-back deep runs in back-to-back weeks. The American was involved in the late rounds of both Toronto and Cincinnati. In neither tournament did she receive a bye and she doesn't have one at the Connecticut Open either.
But if Stephens plays at all like she has been the last two weeks then not having a bye shouldn't matter. Radwanska is not too sharp right now, and neither is 2nd-seeded Dominika Cibulkova.Third-seeded Petra Kvitova is also in the draw, but Stephens enjoyed a victory over the Czech player just last week. Kvitova has enjoyed some success since returning to tour however the consistency is not there with her yet.
Stephens the focal point
Stephens is the player to watch in New Haven. With the American-player there is a genuine question of where her energy is right now following two very busy weeks. Furthermore, Stephens didn't exactly pick up any draw luck as she got plunked down right beside the five seed in Elena Vesnina. It's also possible that Stephens might look ahead to the US Open following two solid performances in Cincinnati and Toronto, performances that have seen her skyrocket in the rankings from the very outer fringes.
But if Stephens is focused on a New Haven run, not too tired from following Cincinnati and Toronto, and not looking ahead at the US Open then she promises to be a very dangerous player at the 2017 Connecticut Open.
