Tennis

Sofia Kenin's resurgence continued in Tokyo on Saturday as she reached her first WTA final in over a year, defeating Katie Boulter 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals of the WTA 500 event.Kenin's victory marked a significant milestone in her comeback, as it was her first semifinal appearance since September 2022. The American had struggled with injuries and a loss of form in recent months, but her performance in Tokyo suggests that she is rediscovering her best tennis.The 2020 Australian Open champion is now projected to return to the Top 100 in the WTA rankings, and a title victory in Tokyo could see her climb even higher. Kenin has a strong record in finals, having won five of her eight previous appearances.Kenin's resurgence is a testament to her resilience and determination. After a challenging period, she has shown that she still has the talent and drive to compete at the highest level.

In a captivating second-round clash at the US Open, two American women with contrasting motivations faced off: Sofia Kenin, a former prodigy seeking redemption, and Jessica Pegula, a steady climber aiming to break through a Grand Slam semifinal barrier.Kenin, once a Grand Slam champion at 21, has endured a tumultuous few years. Pegula, on the other hand, has steadily risen to the top of the game, currently ranked No. 6. Despite their different trajectories, both women shared a common goal: to prove their worth.Pegula, known for her consistency and composure, exploited Kenin's momentary lapses to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory. The match showcased Pegula's ability to maintain a high level of play, while Kenin struggled to close out crucial points.Kenin acknowledged Pegula's superior performance, stating, "She's a Grand Slam champion. She knows she can play at a high level." Pegula, in turn, praised Kenin's potential, saying, "She's capable of upsetting a lot of top players."Pegula's composure has become a hallmark of her game, allowing her to withstand the pressure of facing more powerful opponents. However, she admitted to a rare moment of frustration during the match, slamming her racquet after an unforced error.Despite her emotional outburst, Pegula remains committed to her calm demeanor. She believes that expressing too much emotion can be exhausting and detrimental to her performance.Kenin, on the other hand, is seeking to rebuild her confidence and create a bubble of comfort similar to the one she enjoyed as a young prodigy. She acknowledges the challenges she faces but remains optimistic about her ability to regain her former glory.

Naomi Osaka vs. Karolina Muchova: A Clash of Styles at the US OpenNaomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, faces a formidable challenge in the second round of the US Open against Karolina Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up. While Osaka received a wild card into the tournament, her draw has been far from easy.Muchova presents a contrasting style to Osaka's previous opponent, Jelena Ostapenko. The Czech possesses a versatile game with a wide array of shots and spins. She is adept at controlling the pace and varying the angles, forcing opponents to adjust constantly. Muchova's willingness to approach the net and execute drop shots adds another dimension to her game.The two players have met twice before, with each winning one match. Muchova's victory came on clay, while Osaka triumphed on hard courts at the 2020 US Open. Both matches went the distance, indicating the competitiveness of their rivalry.Osaka's performance against Ostapenko was one of her best of the year. However, she has a tendency to follow up strong performances with disappointing results. Can she maintain her high level against Muchova?Jessica Pegula vs. Sofia Kenin: A Battle of Experience and FormJessica Pegula, the No. 6 seed, faces a stern test against Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion. While Pegula boasts a superior ranking and recent form, Kenin has the experience of winning a Grand Slam title.Pegula has been in impressive form this season, reaching the quarterfinals of six Grand Slams and winning the Toronto Open. Her consistent and powerful groundstrokes are well-suited to the fast courts of the US Open.Kenin, on the other hand, has struggled for form in recent times. However, her victory over Coco Gauff at Wimbledon last year and her impressive display against Emma Raducanu in the first round of the US Open suggest that she is capable of producing her best tennis on the big stage.Jannik Sinner vs. Alex Michelsen: A Rising Star vs. a Hometown HopeJannik Sinner, the No. 11 seed, takes on American Alex Michelsen in the second round of the US Open. Michelsen, a 20-year-old Californian, has enjoyed a breakthrough season, reaching the finals in Newport and Winston-Salem.The two players met in Cincinnati recently, with Sinner winning in two close sets. Michelsen's height and athleticism make him a formidable opponent, but Sinner's experience and consistency should prove too much for the American.

Despite the relentless rain that has plagued Roland Garros, Sofia Kenin and Stefanos Tsitsipas have emerged as beacons of hope, reaching the third round of the tournament with impressive performances.Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, displayed her trademark efficiency in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 21 seed Caroline Garcia. The American dominated the match, winning over 80% of her first-serve points and breaking Garcia four times. Kenin's resurgence is a testament to her hard work and determination, as she has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form this season.Tsitsipas, the No. 4 seed, also advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4 victory over Daniel Altmaier. The Greek star faced a brief scare when Altmaier took the third set in a tiebreaker, but Tsitsipas quickly regained control of the match. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity are key factors in his status as a title contender.Kenin will next face either Jelena Ostapenko or Clara Tauson, while Tsitsipas will take on Lorenzo Sonego or Zhang Zhizhen. With the rain expected to continue, the resumption of play remains uncertain. However, both Kenin and Tsitsipas have shown that they are ready to embrace the challenge and continue their pursuit of Roland Garros glory.

In the highly anticipated Round of 64 clash at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, two struggling stars, Sofia Kenin and Ons Jabeur, will face off. Kenin, once a top-ranked player, has endured a two-year slump, while Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, has also been grappling with inconsistent form.Despite her recent struggles, Kenin has shown signs of improvement. In her previous match against Lucia Bronzetti, she displayed impressive dominance as a returner, breaking five times in two sets. Her baseline shots were powerful and accurate, and her movement along the baseline was fluid.Kenin's record against Jabeur is also noteworthy. She holds a 5-2 advantage in their head-to-head encounters. Additionally, Jabeur has been struggling with her precision in slice and drop shots, which have been key components of her success in the past.Furthermore, Kenin's experience on clay courts is an advantage. She reached the finals of Roland Garros in 2020, demonstrating her ability to handle the slow and bouncy conditions. These conditions allow her to play more balls and extend rallies.On the other hand, Jabeur's serve has been a concern in 2024. Her hold percentage is a mere 64.2%, which could give Kenin ample opportunities to break her serve.Considering Kenin's recent form, her favorable record against Jabeur, and the conditions that suit her style of play, it is reasonable to expect her to cover the 4.5-game spread.

Viktoriya Tomova Poised to Upset Struggling Sofia Kenin at BNP Paribas OpenThe BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells kicks off on Thursday night with a highly anticipated first-round clash between Viktoriya Tomova and Sofia Kenin. While Kenin holds the advantage as the 2020 Australian Open champion, Tomova presents a formidable challenge given Kenin's recent struggles.Kenin has endured a dismal 2024 campaign, losing five consecutive matches and posting a dismal 1-6 record. Her movement has been severely compromised, a significant disadvantage on the slow hard courts of Indian Wells. The American's tendency to commit unforced errors further diminishes her chances of success.In contrast, Tomova enters the match with a more positive mindset, having won two of her last three matches. While her form is not exceptional, she possesses a relentless grinding style that could frustrate Kenin. Tomova's ability to chase down every ball and force her opponent into extended rallies increases the likelihood of Kenin making mistakes.Despite Kenin's past achievements, her current form suggests that Tomova has a genuine opportunity to pull off the upset. The Bulgarian's tenacity and Kenin's struggles make Tomova the more appealing choice for bettors.