Sofia Kenin reached the last eight of the Cleveland Open on Tuesday. The American upset the fifth seed Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-2 in their round-of-16 clash in an hour and 12 minutes.
Kenin won 69% of her first-serve points to Begu’s 61% and 64% of her second-serve points. She also won 55% of points on return on Begu’s second serve. She went on to convert all four break points that came her way on the Romanian’s serve while saving four of the five break points she faced. Kenin wrapped up the match with 62 points to Begu’s 45.
This is the first time since the Adelaide International that Kenin’s claimed two straight wins. Back then, in January, the former Australian Open champion reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to eventual champion, Ashleigh Barty. Since then, Kenin’s had a string of opening-round exits.
Looking to reach the semi-finals of a WTA event for the first time this season, Kenin will play either top seed Barbora Krejcikova or fellow American, Bernarda Pera.
Cleveland Open: Liudmila Samsonova completes pre-quarters’ line-up
In the only remaining first-round match, Liudmila Samsonova ousted Iryna Shymanovich, 6-1, 6-0 in just 56 minutes. Samsonova won 87% of her first-serve points and 77% of her second-serve points. She also won 76% points on return on her opponent’s second serve. Six breaks of serve on Shymanovich’s serve ensured that Samsonova never lost momentum in the proceedings. The latter didn’t face any break point on her serve.
In the second round, Samsonova will play Laura Siegemund.
Magda Linette defeated Sorana Cirstea in their round-of-16 clash. The Pole needed 81 minutes to claim a 6-4, 6-2 victory. Next up for Linette will be the winner between Siegemund and Samsonova.
Meanwhile, two seeded players reached the quarter-finals of the Cleveland Open. Seventh-seeded Aliaksandra Sasnovich notched a comeback, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Sara Sorribes Tormo. Sasnovich will play either Madison Brengle or third seed Ekaterina Alexandrova for a chance to reach the semi-finals. Lastly, eighth seed Alize Cornet claimed her 501st win on the Tour by beating Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-6(1) in their round-of-16 meeting. The Frenchwoman will play Shuai Zhang or second seed Martina Trevisan next.