Sofia Kenin is quietly growing in confidence that she can repeat her previous Grand Slam run at the US Open following her latest win.
Kenin, who is the second seed at the New York major, saw off Canada’s Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4, 6-3, without facing a single break point. Moving the 21-year-old into the last 32 of the tournament for the fourth year in a row. Kenin reached the final of the US Open junior tournament back in 2015 during what was the same year she made her senior debut there.
“I’m really proud of myself, the way I played. She’s a tough player,” the world No.4 commented about her latest win. “I knew she’s going to give me different shots, different looks. She played a good match. I just feel like I just played stable today.”
Unlike 12 months ago, Kenin enters New York with far higher expectations following her dream run to the Australian Open title earlier this year. Where she became the youngest American Grand Slam champion since Serena Williams in 2002. Although consistency hasn’t always been there for Kenin in 2020, who recorded two straight first round losses after Melbourne before winning the Lyon Open prior to the Tour shutdown. Meanwhile, last week she lost her opening match to Alize Cornet at the Western and Southern Open.
Despite the roller-coaster results in recent months, Kenin believes she is gradually returning back to the level that brought her major success. A confidence that has been aided by her opening two wins in New York. Prior to Fernandez, she also dismissed Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets.
“I feel like my level is definitely there, maybe it was a bit better in Australia,” she said.
“As I got in these two matches under my belt I feel like I’m playing better, feeling the court well and playing my game.”
“Leading up to the US Open, last week in Cincy and after that, practices weren’t the best, I wasn’t feeling 100% at all. I feel like I’m happy with the way I bounced back. I’m able to find my rhythm again.”
The best test of where Kenin’s level currently is could be in her upcoming match against the dangerous Ons Jabeur. Who has reached the quarter-finals in four out of her five most recent tournaments (including two within the past month) and got the better of Madison Keys last week. The Tunisian is the first arab female player in history to reach the last eight of a major after doing so in Melbourne earlier this year. It was at that tournament where she last played Kenin and lost 6-4, 6-4.
“We both respect each other really well. We always joke around when we see each other. I don’t think during the match there will be any jokes, it’s going to be a bit serious,” Kenin previewed.
“After the match whoever wins, we will remain good friends, it’s not going to change anything.”
Despite being the favourite on paper, Kenin is yet to progress beyond the third round in New York so far in her career.
