Maria Sharapova shuts down young American Sofia Kenin - UBITENNIS

Maria Sharapova shuts down young American Sofia Kenin

By Cody Fitzpatrick
2 Min Read
zimbio.com

In a battle between wildcards — 30-year-old wildcard Maria Sharapova and 18-year-old wildcard Sofia “Sonya” Kenin — it was the veteran who came away with the victory. 

Sharapova won in straight sets — 7-5, 6-2 — under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

Kenin, in her first service game, fought off two break points. But Sharapova, standing well into the blue part of the court, hit a forehand winner for a third one, which she converted for a 2-0 lead.

Sharapova lost her serve in the next game, though, on a backhand error, putting Kenin on the scoreboard and the set on serve. Then, at 15-40, Sharapova broke Kenin with a drop-shot winner before consolidating for 4-1.

Kenin subsequently got her first service hold — to trail 2-4 — with a swinging forehand volley into the open court. Then Sharapova, facing Break Point No. 4, let a forehand leak wide, allowing the set to get back on serve. Kenin consolidated to tie it 4-4.

Three quick games later, Kenin was serving from down 5-6 to stay in the set. Sharapova, with the AD, pushed Kenin off the court and took the first set 7-5.

In Set 2, Kenin double-faulted while down 15-40, putting Sharapova up a set and a break, 2-0. Sharapova then consolidated with a second-serve ace. She later lost her serve on a double fault, enabling Kenin to get back in the set and serve from 2-3.

Kenin then went down 0-40 and eventually got broken, giving Sharapova a 4-2 edge. After a Sharapova hold for 5-2, Kenin had to hold her serve to keep the match alive. Sharapova broke at 30, winning the set 6-2 to book a spot in the round of 16, where she’ll face world No. 17 Anastasija Sevastova for the first time.

Kenin got into the tournament by winning the US Open Wild Card Challenge for the second consecutive year.

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