Kenin Stunned In Her First Match Of New Season Despite Impressive End Of 2023

| by Erik Virostko

Sofia Kenin will be disappointed by the way that she started the 2024 season, as she lost in her opening match at the 2024 Brisbane International.

The American, who won the 2020 Australian Open, was ranked even world no. 280 in 2023, but by the end of the season, she managed to get to a spot, where she's a contender for a seeded spot at Grand Slams.

On top of that, she managed to beat the world no. 2, Aryna Sabalenka, during the offseason, and she also bested Caroline Garcia, making a case for herself ahead of the 2024 WTA season.

At the 2024 Brisbane International, the 2020 Australian Open winner was the 14th seed, having a first-round bye, before taking on Arina Rodionova, who beat Martina Trevisan in the first round.

It was a really close match, and both players had multiple chances. In the first set, the Australian had three break points in the first five games, but since Kenin saved them all, she enjoyed a 3-2 lead.

Djokovic Starts Another Heroic Campaign As He Overcomes Inspired Lehecka At United Cup
Djokovic Starts Another Heroic Campaign As He Overcomes Inspired Lehecka At United Cup

A couple of games later, players started a string of games with lost serves, which was ended at 6-5 by Rodionova, who held her serve after breaking the American, winning the opening set 7-5.

In the second set of the match, Kenin started well, having a one-break lead, and at 5-3, she served for the first set, and even had a set point, but everything fell apart for her from there.

The American lost the game, and the set then had to be decided in a tie-break. Kening managed to save two match points, but she couldn't stop Rodionova from converting the third to win the match 7-5, 7-6(7) and reach the third round of the 2024 Brisbane International.

Kenin will now want to forget this loss as soon as possible and prepare for the Grand Slam that she already managed to win in her career.

US Open Champion Gauff Starts New Season With Impressive Win In Auckland
US Open Champion Gauff Starts New Season With Impressive Win In Auckland

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles