Sofia Kenin says she will need a good strategy to overcome Elina Svitolina
Sofia Kenin is thrilled with her return to Wimbledon so far but is wary of third round opponent Elina Svitolina.
Kenin stunned compatriot Coco Gauff in the opening round and made quick work of China’s Wang Xinyu to book her place in the Round of 32.
A sixth career meeting with Svitolina awaits with a place in the last 16 of Wimbledon on the line.
Kenin says that she is motivated to prove her doubters wrong but has great respect for Svitolina who is treading her own comeback path.
“Yeah, obviously I’m super excited,” Kenin said after besting Wang.
“Just trying to prove some people wrong. Just super proud of myself with the way I really fought, you know, through to get here and keeping the momentum going.
“Yeah, I’m just putting in the hard work and it’s paying off.”
Kenin clarified that she wasn’t sub-referencing some sort of criticism.
“No, I mean, it’s not like no one like said anything, it’s just like I didn’t have maybe the best results, but I felt like this year, you know, I started off pretty good overall and I just had to find my way. I have been fighting hard. I just hope that I can keep it going,” Kenin added.
“I mean, honestly, I just feel like I had to click. Like I said, I started off the year pretty good. Then, yeah, I mean, I feel like I needed more matches. And, you know, I knew if I put in the work and do the right things, eventually it’s going to click, and I’m super happy it’s clicking here.”
Kenin picked out her narrow loss to Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells as a turning point for her season.
“I would say against Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells,” Kenin said when asked if there was a particular moment where she felt that she was able to be a WTA Tour professional again.
“It was a great match. Of course a little bit heartbreaking because I lost. But she got to the finals of Australian Open, so I wanted to just see where I am at that point, and I did a great job. Yeah, I just got some confidence off that match. Like you said, I believed I always could do it, but I felt like that was a little bit of a turning point for me.”
Kenin admitted that she will need a great game plan to best an in-form Svitolina.
“She’s obviously a high-ranked player,” Kenin told reporters.
“She’s obviously really good. I feel like she’s playing, you know, making her comeback. She’s playing really well.
“It’s obviously going to be a tough match. Yeah, I’ve got to figure out a good strategy against her.
“All respect to her, you know, she’s had tremendous success.”
