Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Christina McHale, and other home hopes face intriguing early-round challenges at the BNP Paribas Open.
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The top two Ukrainian men clung closely to their roots as they divided their focus between tennis and their countrymen last week.
With a title and finals appearance in February, the former top-10 man from Croatia has regrouped quickly from a 2013 suspension.
At a career-high ranking of No. 14, the Italian must seek more consistency away from his favorite surface.
The former No. 2 from Russia faces significant challenges in her comeback but has shown the courage to master them.
The ATP Challenger in Maui, won by Bradley Klahn, also provided a stage for Americans like Tim Smyczek, Ryan Harrison, and Jack Sock.
Sloane Stephens joined Serena Williams in the second week of the Australian Open, while Donald Young fell short.
The second-ranked American man and second-ranked American woman met different fates at the Australian Open.
While the top American man went down, some of his compatriots made promising statements.
Madison Keys and Sam Querrey ranked among the Americans who gritted out victories as main-draw play began.
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