Last year’s Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin came back from one set down to beat Andrea Petkovic 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 6-3 in 1 hour and 59 minutes.
Sofia Kenin was playing for the first time since undergoing an appendectomy on 15th February after a second-round loss to Kaia Kanepi at the Australian Open and an upset defeat to Olivia Gadecki at the Phillip Island Trophy in Melbourne.
Petkovic went up a 3-1 lead with an early break. Kenin pulled the break back. Both players held serve to set up a tie-break. Petkovic raced out to a 5-2 lead, but Kenin clawed her way back to draw level to 5-5 before saving a set point at 5-6 with a backhand dropshot. Petkovic hit an unreturnable crosscourt forehand to wrap up the tie-break 8-6. Kenin bounced back by winning the second set with three breaks in the first, third and seventh games.
Both players traded breaks in the fourth and fifth games of the third set. Kenin saved a break point as she serving at 3-3. She saved it before breaking serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead. The US player held serve with a crosscourt forehand winner to close out the decider 6-3.
“I am obviously happy with this win. It feels nice to get the win after some time not being on the court, playing at tournaments. It was very humid. I am obviously used to this since I live here, but conditions were not so easy, but I am happy that it wasn’t at least windy, I was able to somehow try to play my game. I felt a bit more nervous at the beginning, first match after having the surgery and everything. I am just grateful that I am able to play here because I really wanted to get ready for the Miami Open and just ready and enjoy every minute out there”, said Kenin.
Sara Sorribes Tormo came back from one down to beat 2021 Australian Open Jennifer Brady 3-6 6-4 6-1 after 2 hours and 22 minutes. Brady broke twice in the first and seventh games to win the first set 6-3. Brady went up a set a break in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Sorribes Tormo won three consecutive games to take a 4-3. Brady broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Sorribes Tormo broke for the third game in the ninth game to win the second set 6-4. Sorribes Tormo reeled off five consecutive games from 1-1 with three breaks to close out the third set 6-1.
“It was one of the best matches I have ever played in my career. I don’t stop fighting and I am very proud of that. I don’t feel I am so good, and I have to play until the end”, said Sorribes Tormo.