Sofia Kenin delivered a gutsy and composed performance at Roland Garros on Thursday, defeating fellow Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka 7-6(5), 6-4 to advance to the third round.
The first set was a test of nerves and resilience. Kenin trailed 2-5 but refused to fold. She steadied her game, dug in on return points, and clawed her way back to force a tiebreak. There, she maintained her poise and outlasted Azarenka 7-5.
The second set saw more back-and-forth momentum, but the American continued to apply pressure with her aggressive baseline play and improved serving. At 5-4, she capitalized on a narrow opening and broke Azarenka to seal the match in straight sets.
One of the more impressive aspects about Kenin right now is her resurgence. Once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, she fell outside the top 200 after a difficult stretch filled with injuries and inconsistency. Now ranked No. 30, she’s showing the kind of grit and tactical sharpness that won her the 2020 Australian Open.
Her next challenge comes in the form of Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, who advanced with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Katie Boulter. With both players in strong form, the upcoming all-American clash promises high-quality tennis and no shortage of shot-making.
Regardless of the outcome, the win was a reminder of why Kenin remains one of the most dangerous competitors on tour when she’s locked in — and she was very much locked in in this match.