[5] Sofia Kenin (USA) vs. [25] Dayana Yastremska (UKR)
Today was simply not Kenin’s day. After dropping the first set, she had a 3-0 lead in the second set and could not hold on to her serve to win the set. Although she fought well enough to force a tiebreaker, her game was just not there.
Big Game From Yastremska
The Ukrainian manhandled the AO champion with her big serves and her bigger ground strokes. The post major win letdown seems to be affecting the American. We have seen this before with many players. They win a major and all the expectations seem to take in toll. Until they can process all the emotions and regain their focus, their games inevitably suffer.
Of course, fatigue also plays a big role in the decline in their performance post such a big win. While there may be physical fatigue, the emotional fatigue I think affects the player more. How do you come down from such a high and get excited to compete again at that level? The seasoned veterans take it in stride, but those new to being a major champion often have some problems adjusting to the increased fame and attention.
Post Major Win Blues For Kenin
Kenin lost her first match played last week in Dubai and lost her first match again today in Doha. Now would be a good time to go home and regroup mentally and physically. There is still a lot of tennis to play in the season and no doubt she will bounce back.
Yastremska was feeling the pressure though and she complicated the issue by failing to serve out the match in the second set. Kenin, true to form, competed to the end but it was not enough today against the nineteen-year-old Ukrainian. With the 6-3, 7-6(4) victory, Yastremska now leads their head-to-head 2:1. Keep an eye on this young lady, who already owns three singles titles. I am curious to see how high up the rankings she can climb.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Getty Images AsiaPac-Dayana Yastremska)
