China Open drama: Sloane Stephens claims opponent tried to hit her during a heated match

Sloane Stephens had a contentious match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Sunday. Photo / AP

Tennis star Sloane Stephens claimed her opponent tried to hit her during a heated match at the China Open.

Stephens went head-to-head with Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Sunday.

After the two battled it out during a game in the third set of their match, Stephens is seen mouthing the words: "F**king b***h tried to hit me."

The former World No. 3 was seen making the statement after winning the tough point to even out their game score, the MailOnline reported.

Tennis star Sloane Stephens claimed her opponent, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, tried to hit her during a heated match at the China Open. Photo / Youtube / Martin

Video from the match shows the moment Stephens believes Pavlyuchenkova tried to hit her.

Stephens is seen mid-court when Pavlyuchenkova smashes the tennis ball right toward her right leg.

But Stephens smoothly returned the ball and moments later won the point.

However, all of the drama began when Pavlyuchenkova called for a trainer during their second set.

According to TennisLife.com, it's not unusual to do that but when it happens before the opponent serves for the set, it's usually frowned upon.

At some point, Stephens approached the chair umpire Jenny Zhang and makes a comment about 'sportsmanship'.

"That's the sport we play. Right? Sportsmanship. That's really important," Stephens said to Zhang.

Stephens is then heard saying: "I'm disrespectful? What's disrespectful? You called the physio at 5-2. You're not even injured."

"How do you know I'm not injured?" Pavlyuchenkova replied.

"Don't be ridiculous. Don't be ridiculous. … No you're disrespectful. … It's fine. … Play the third set. It's fine," Stephens retorted.

Stephens then said: "You got what you wanted. You got the physio. So I don't see what the problem is."

The tennis stars then started the third set, and there were no tense moments during the changeovers.

Stephens beat Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-4.

The pair appeared to end the match with a polite handshake and conversation before going their separate ways.

Sunday's tense match occurred just weeks after Naomi Osaka won the US Open Championship against Serena Williams.

Osaka recently said her breakthrough victory in New York last month still feels 'bittersweet'.

The Japanese player's win in the US Open final was overshadowed by a row between her opponent Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos, which resulted in the 23-time Grand Slam champion being docked a game and fined $16,000.

The 20-year-old Osaka was reduced to tears as she waited to be handed her maiden major trophy and an angry crowd at Flushing Meadows took out their frustration on Ramos.