Sofia Kenin earned a spot in a Grand Slam quarter final for the first time in her career. She defeated Coco Gauff in a three set match to get there.
Reaching the quarter finals in a Grand Slam would be a first for both players. Gauff took the first set after a thrilling tie-break, then Kenin took the next two in a two hour and nine minute match (6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0).
"Obviously it meant a lot to me," Kenin said, post-match. "I was just so happy to have won. It was a tough match. I knew [Gauff is] playing well. I was just really happy with the way that I was able to handle my emotions and just fight through every point."
"I want to show who I am, show my best tennis, show why I'm there, why I belong," said Kenin. "I'm doing that."
Holding her serve was key in the match for Kenin. She only lost her serve once, while her first serve was quite successful almost 75% of the time. Consistency returning the ball helped to win the match.
"I knew it was a few minor details [in the first set]," Kenin stated. "I felt like I wasn't returning so well. I missed a few opportunities. Of course, she served really well."
"I knew I needed to somehow try and break her serve and hold my serve. I think I served pretty good overall, which obviously helped me. Yeah, I'm happy I was able to do that because her serve, it wasn't easy." She concluded.
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