UPDATE 3pm: Unseeded Sloane Stephens has downed Sam Stosur’s conqueror Sofia Arvidsson in straight sets to set up a quarterfinal against fellow American Serena Williams at the Brisbane International.
The United States’ next big thing overcame Swede Arvidsson, 6-3 6-4, in just over an hour on Wednesday to book a quarter-final showdown with third seed and compatriot Williams.
The 19-year-old Stephens has befriended Williams in the US Fed Cup team and did not seem overawed by the prospect of taking on someone who has won 33 of her past 34 matches since a shock first-round French Open exit in June.
“I always was like, ‘Oh, my God. I love her to death. She’s amazing’,” said Stephens about taking on the 15-time Grand Slam winner.
“Now she’s like an actual person and I’m like, ‘Oh, hi. How is it going?’ She’s not like a hero anymore – she’s just a friend.
“Once we get out on the court, it is all business – anything can happen.”