Kenin vs Azarenka: The only past Australian Open winner still in the women’s event is Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Sofia Kenin 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) on Monday. Although American Kenin triumphed to win the Daphne Akhurst Trophy in 2020, Belarusian Azarenka, the World No. 24th, won her triumphs at Melbourne Park in 2012 and 2013.
In the women’s event, Kenin and Azarenka were the only 2 former champions after Serena Williams and Ash Barty both decided to retire, and Naomi Osaka, who won in 2019 and 2021, was absent due to pregnancy.
Kenin vs Azarenka: Sofia Kenin’s struggle prior to the contest
Kenin vs Azarenka: However, since her lone Slam victory, Kenin has struggled mightily, her form failing as she dealt with a slew of ailments. Her global ranking has dropped to 203, and she was attempting to prevail against a top-25 rival for the 1st time since defeating Petra Kvitova. Who was ranked 11 at the time, at Roland Garros in 2020.
However, the seasoned Azarenka ranked 24th in the rankings. Acknowledged that she had been uneasy before the match at Margaret Court Arena. After an initial breakthrough, the 24-year-old seized a 3-0 lead in the first set, but Azarenka turned up the intensity and won 5 straight games.
Kenin vs Azarenka: Sofia Kenin combatted courageously
Kenin vs Azarenka: Although Azarenka served flawlessly to capture the round, Kenin competed valiantly to maintain service for a 5-4 score.
The 2nd set was considerably closer, with the crucial point occurring in the tiebreak. As Azarenka blasted out her 6th ace and Kenin pathetically answered with a double fault. In the initial round of the encounter, Azarenka, who boasts more victories at Melbourne Park than any other player in the AO 2023 women’s event bracket, soon discovered her at a disadvantage.
Kenin vs Azarenka: Kenin lost due to her reckless errors.
Kenin vs Azarenka: The 33-year-old Azarenka survived 4 break points in her first service play. Prior to giving in to a 5th, going down 0-3 right away. But the 24-year-old Kenin made a series of sloppy mistakes. As a result of a flurry of powerful, well-placed shotmaking from Azarenka. Which allowed the Russian to hold the American repeatedly and quickly take a 5-3 lead.
Before Sofia Kenin’s older adversary served the final point of the opening set. Kenin, who was competing with her left adductor strapped tight, survived 3 set points.
Victoria Azarenka played her 15th Australian open
Kenin vs Azarenka: In the 2nd set, the American went all-in, frequently controlling the action with scorching down-the-line smashes from both flanks. With varying degrees of effectiveness, the outspoken Kenin used dropping shots to strike in order to end heated demonstrations.
Despite a lengthy weather delay, neither player lost concentration. And Azarenka came through a poor service game at 5-6. Preserving a break point to clinch a 2nd-set tiebreak. After Kenin smacked a backhand comeback into the netting, Azarenka playing in her 15th Australian Open was awarded the victory.
Azarenka steals the show with the victory
Kenin vs Azarenka: The 33-year-old was successful at the court, collecting 85% of her points (11 of 13). And she also performed well, earning 59% of her 2nd-serve counts against Kenin’s 21%. The 2nd set was considerably closer, with the crucial point occurring in the tiebreak after Sofia Kenin pathetically returned another double fault in response to Azarenka’s boom-down 6th ace.
Azarenka said her pre-match anxiety was a sign of how important it mattered to her to be competing at Grand Slams. Victoria Azarenka will next face either Leolia Jeanjean or Nadia Podoroska in her 15th Australian Open.
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