Sloane Stephens defeated Serena Williams, advances to Australian Open Semis. Sloane Stephens has arrived. She’s 19, ranked 25th in the world, and Tuesday she beat Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

With this defeat, Sloane became the first American player younger than Serena to ever hand her a loss.

Serena, who suffered a back injury during the second set and had to take an injury timeout, might take this “L” kind of hard. She is Sloane’s tennis idol, and has become a mentor to her and Sloane played her tough.

However, looking for Sloane to supplant the Williams sisters, and more pointedly, Serena, as the next big thing may be premature; but she’s certainly carving her own place on the circuit.

She has yet to win a singles title, but we can expect to see her dominate in years to come, and I think sooner than later.

Stephens will face No. 1 ranked Victoria Azarenka in the semi finals. The other semi-finals match with be between Maria Sharapova and Li Na.

Kyle Moore | Elite.