Miami Open: Kenin Triumphs Over Former Champion Kvitova, Prepares for Gauff Clash
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Synopsis
At the Miami Open, Sofia Kenin defeated Petra Kvitova to set up a highly-anticipated second-round matchup against Coco Gauff. Kenin's win marks her return to form as she continues her quest for success in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Sofia Kenin won against Petra Kvitova to advance in the Miami Open.
- Kenin will face Coco Gauff in the next round.
- Kvitova is still searching for her first win after maternity leave.
- Naomi Osaka also advanced after a tough match against Yuliia Starodubtseva.
- Kenin and Gauff have an even career head-to-head record.
Miami, March 19 (NationPress) Sofia Kenin emerged victorious in a first-round encounter featuring Grand Slam champions at the Miami Open, paving the way for a second-round battle against another Grand Slam titleholder, Coco Gauff.
Kenin, who claimed the 2020 Australian Open title representing the United States, triumphed over the new mother and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic with a score of 6-4, 7-5 at this prestigious WTA 1000 hard-court tournament.
In just 1 hour and 25 minutes, Kenin evened her head-to-head record against former Miami champion Kvitova to 2-2. Notably, one of Kvitova's victories occurred here in 2018, but Kenin managed to secure the win this time in her home state of Florida.
Once ranked World No. 2, Kvitova, who clinched the Miami Open title by defeating Elena Rybakina just two years ago, welcomed her son Petr last July. Kvitova made her much-anticipated return to the tour less than a month ago, according to WTA reports.
Unfortunately, the Czech player is still searching for her first win since returning from maternity leave, having lost in her three recent court appearances, including first-round exits against Jodie Burrage in Austin and Varvara Gracheva at Indian Wells.
Next, former World No. 4 Kenin will face current World No. 3 Gauff in an all-American second-round matchup. Their encounters on the WTA Tour have been evenly matched, with Kenin and Gauff each having won two matches.
In another notable match, former Miami Open finalist Naomi Osaka overcame a first-round challenge from Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, rallying from a set and a break down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in 2 hours and 28 minutes.
Osaka, who was the 2022 runner-up to Iga Swiatek, had not secured a victory since reaching the third round of the Australian Open in January, where she withdrew while trailing Belinda Bencic by a set due to an abdominal injury.
Her next match will be against No. 24 seed Liudmila Samsonova, with whom she had a split record in their two meetings last year.
