What is going on with Sofia Kenin? It’s not physical; therefore, it is most likely psychological or spiritual. By psychological, I am implying either emotional or mental. For some reason, the tough Russian American player has lost her mojo.
Sofia Kenin Did Not Show Up In Set One
Kenin won the Australian Open; thus, we know that she has some talent. There may have been some luck along the way, but you cannot win a tournament like a major solely on luck. The American player is also a former top ten player. She had an appendectomy; however, from all accounts, she is fully recovered from that. The wheels just came off and she is having a tough time putting them back on.
Set one was one of unforced errors and double faults. Thus, it is not a surprise that she was broken three times in the first set. She is not finding her rhythm. Yet, she remains a fighter as to be expected of a champion. Kenin was also hurt by her second serve percentage of points won. She was under forty percent compared to her opponent, who had fifty percent.
Embed from Getty ImagesHaddad Maia Is Also Coming Back From Injury
Beatriz Haddad Maia, currently ranked sixty-one, got to a career high of fifty-eight until she was derailed by injury. Now she is making a comeback. Interesting, she has a winning record against Kenin. In their two previous encounters it was all the Brazilian. Thus, last night’s result was not as surprising as many may think. In fact, it was a much better effort from Kenin compared to the scores of their previous four sets.
Set Two Not Much Better For Kenin
Despite the score, Kenin continued to struggle with her serve. The serve is a barometer of confidence. She made six double faults and won just about thirty percent of her second serves. She did a better job of breaking her opponent; however, when you struggle to hold serve, you will lose. Haddad Maia got tight, as usual. Crossing the finish line to victory is never easy, even for the top players. This was a good result for the Brazilian as she continues to find her form.
Embed from Getty ImagesKenin Currently Ranked Outside The Top Hundred
Once ranked as high as number four, Sofia Kenin is currently ranked 130. It has to be tough trying to climb back up the rankings. So far the American has been on a first round losing streak since January. She cannot seem to cross the line to victory. Some of her matches have been pretty close, but that becomes irrelevant when you are trying hard to regain your form. Every loss is another blow to the psyche. Last night she lost again 3-6, 5-7 in the first around. Not a good statistic for the American, who is on a six match losing streak.
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