Stephens suffers first round loss in Dubai February 19, 2013 - 8:39AM Sloane Stephens lost in the first round of the Dubai Championship on Monday, the latest setback for the rising American star who reached the Australian Open semi-finals. Stephens, who has reached a career high 16 in the world rankings since knocking out Serena Williams in Melbourne, lost to world No.30 Sorana Cirstea of Romania 5-7 6-3 6-2. "It was a rough day, and I think she obviously played some good tennis," Stephens said. Every match isn't going to go the way you want it, and obviously I got a little frustrated. Things happen, but, I mean, no need to dwell on it. Eleventh-ranked Marion Bartoli also advanced, coming from a set down to beat Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 3-6 6-4 6-1. She was joined by former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic, who overcame a sore right shoulder to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 6-3 7-6 (5). Laura Robson, the British up-and-comer, joined Stephens in being eliminated after losing to 97th-ranked wild-card entry Yulia Putinseva of Kazakhstan 6-4 2-6 7-6 (6). Last week, the 19-year-old Stephens lost to Zakopalova in the third round of the Qatar Open after wasting two match points. After beating an injured Williams at the Australian Open, Stephens was being billed as the future of American tennis - even though she hasn't yet won a professional tournament.