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Sofia Kenin Roland Garros 2020 French Open
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Sofia Kenin beats Jelena Ostapenko in French Open first round


World No. 5 Sofia Kenin defeated Jelena Ostapenko in three sets to progress to the second round of the 2021 French Open.

The 2020 finalist defeated 2017 Roland Garros champion Ostapenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the opening round.

“I knew it was gonna be a tough match, she’s a great player. Yeah, I knew I needed to play my best tennis in order to win,” Kenin said in her on-court interview.

“I’m a feisty kid, and I have to fight in order to win. So, of course, I got a little bit of feistytness in me and that helps me in these types of matches.”

The 22-year-old American twice came from a break down to edge the first set after securing a decisive break for 5-4.

World No. 44 Ostapenko levelled the match by converting a first set point with Kenin serving at 4-5, after the pair exchanged breaks.

Kenin then broke the 23-year-old Latvian five times in the third set and sealed victory despite losing serve three times.

The world No. 5 will face American qualifier Hailey Baptiste in the second round.

It was her first win on clay in 2021 – having her previous three.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.