Google News Sofia Kenin comments on upsetting Aryna Sabalenka for first top-2 win in three years
by DZEVAD MESIC
2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin said she was "super proud" of herself after stunning world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka for her biggest win in more than three years. Kenin, now ranked at No 134 in the world, upset second-seeded Sabalenka in the Rome second round 7-6 (4) 6-2.
For Kenin, it was her first top-10 win in three years. At the same time, it was Kenin's first top-2 win since she beat Ashleigh Barty in the 2020 Australian Open semifinal. “Of course I’m super happy. It was a really tough match.
She’s playing some great tennis so I’m just super proud of myself. I had to bring my best tennis to win. I thought I served well, returned well. I brought my good game," Kenin said after beating Sabalenka, per The Tennis Letter.
Sofia Kenin on beating Aryna Sabalenka: “Of course I’m super happy. It was a really tough match. She’s playing some great tennis so I’m just super proud of myself. I had to bring my best tennis to win.
I thought I served well, returned well. I brought my good game.”. pic.twitter.com/3ccF0d7Jp5 — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 11, 2023
Kenin saw off Sabalenka in two sets
Kenin made a great start to the match, breaking Sabalenka in the very first game.
In the sixth game, Sabalenka had her first break points of the match but Kenin saved three break points to take a 4-2 lead. Sabalenka maybe didn't realize her first break points in the sixth game but she did convert a break point in the eighth game to tie the first set to four games apiece.
After blowing an early first-set break, Kenin broke Sabalenka again in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead. In the next game, Kenin failed to serve out for the first set as Sabalenka managed to force a tie-break. Fortunately for Kenin, she was able to keep her focus as the American opened a comfortable 6-1 lead in the first-set tie-break before converting her fourth set point to clinch the opener.
Through the first four games of the second set, the two players were tied to two games apiece. Then, Kenin claimed back-to-back breaks and won the next four games to complete a two-set win over Sabalenka. It was the third meeting between the two and Kenin's first win over Sabalenka.