PARIS -- For the second time in three years, Venus Williams has lost in the first round at the French Open.
Venus, who was beaten by younger sister Serena in the 2002 final, lost 7-6 (5), 6-1 to the 40th-ranked Sloane Stephens, a 22-year-old up-and coming American player.
Stephens, who beat Serena at the 2013 Australian Open, made it to the fourth round in Paris each of the past three years.At 34, Venus was the oldest player in the draw.
Williams declined to speak to the media after her first-round exit at the French Open.
She is facing a potential fine for skipping the traditional news conference, although she issued a statement in which she said Stephens "just played better than me today.''
Williams added she will now turn her focus to the grass-court season.
"I have a little while now between tournaments and so now I'll just get ready for the grass at Wimbledon,'' she said.
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