US Open winner Stephens falls at the first again

Beijing - US Open winner Sloane Stephens suffered a shock first-round defeat for the second week running, tumbling out of the China Open on Monday at the hands of qualifier Christina McHale.

The 15th seed Stephens, wearing all pink, saw her match delayed by rain in Beijing. When it finally got started she failed to fire, going out to her fellow American with a whimper, 6-3, 6-0 in just 62 minutes. 

The loss extends Stephens' poor run after sealing her first Grand Slam last month. 

Last week the 24-year-old similarly fell at the first hurdle, losing to China's Wang Qiang in the opening round of the Wuhan Open.