WHAT HAPPENED: American Sofia Kenin, age 21, knows what it’s like to be the young gun on court. Earlier this year, she became the youngest champion at the Australian Open since Maria Sharapova won it 12 years ago.
But Kenin, the No. 2 seed, was the veteran, relatively speaking, in her Round 2 match against Canadian Leylah Fernandez—at 17, the second-youngest player left in the women’s main draw.
While Kenin walked into Arthur Ashe Stadium as the odds-on favorite, her teenaged opponent, ranked No. 104 in the world, has proved herself to be dangerous, taking out Vera Zvonareva in her Round 1 match, 6-4, 7-5. The Canadian lefty has also posted wins against Sloane Stephens and Belinda Bencic in her first year as a pro. For her part, Kenin gave up just four games in her first-round win over Yanina Wickmayer, 6-2, 6-2.
In the first set, Fernandez took advantage of her lefty out-wide serve to stay competitive, racking up two aces in the very first game of the match. But after Kenin broke the teenager to go up, 3-1, she continued to apply power and pressure to close out the set at 6-4 in 39 minutes.
The second set looked a lot like the first, with Kenin breaking early to go up, 2-1. The teenager did a lot of things right, but the more experienced player never blinked, taking the set, 6-3. Final score: 6-4, 6-3.
"Today was a good win. I'm really proud of myself, the way I played. She's a tough player. 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," Kenin said after the match.
"I feel much more settled. I feel like I found a groove. I'm playing well in those two matches. I'm really focused on every shot. Obviously, I wasn't feeling great leading up to this event. I'm just trying to focus a bit more. It's helping me. I'm playing some really good tennis. Serving really well these past two matches. I'm just really happy."
WHAT IT MEANS: Kenin will take on a surging Ons Jabeur, the No. 27 seed from Tunisia, who defeated Kaia Kanepi, 7-6, 6-0 in Round 2. The American has reached the third round in her three prior US Opens—she's hoping to better that record this year.
"We're really good friends. Respect her. Always have good matches. I remember it was a close match. She's playing well. She played well there. She's playing well now," Kenin said of the Tunisian.
"It's just a matter of taking my chances, matter of executing my shots, serving well, playing my aggressive game. I feel like it's going to be a bit tougher tomorrow since she knows my game and she lost to me last time in Australia. I feel like I know her game well, as well. We'll see how it's going to go. It should be a good match."
MATCH POINT: If she advances, Kenin sets herself up to win back-to-back Grand Slams—since this year, for the first time ever, the Slam following the Australian Open is the US Open.
