Pan Pacific Open Final Preview: Sofia Kenin’s comeback story faces off against in-form Zheng Qinwen
WTA
Zheng
Qinwen and Sofia Kenin are the finalists at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in
Japan, the last WTA 500 tournament of the season. The Chinese player continues
her winning streak in the Asian Swing and is the favorite against the American,
who is gradually overcoming inconsistencies and will play her first final in
over four years.
This is a
highly intriguing match-up between former Australian Open champion Kenin and
recent gold medalist Zheng. When it comes to consistency, Zheng certainly has
the edge with her current form. However, a former Grand Slam champion should
never be counted out, especially after consecutive wins against strong
opponents.
Can Zheng overpower Kenin for the title?
Zheng,
holding an impressive 27-4 record since Wimbledon, is currently one of the most
in-form players, second only to Aryna Sabalenka. Since then, Zheng has won the
Palermo Open, a gold medal at Paris 2024, reached the semifinals at the China
Open, and finished as the runner-up at the Wuhan Open. Now, she aims to add
another title in Tokyo, boosting her confidence ahead of her first WTA Finals.
This week,
the world No. 7 defeated Moyuka Uchijima (No. 57), Leylah Fernandez (No. 35),
and young star Diana Shnaider (No. 16). Zheng is among the best servers on
tour, though her biggest vulnerability arises when her first serve falters—a
recurring factor in her recent defeats. Kenin, with her aggressive returns,
could exploit this weakness.
Kenin’s
recent form has been unpredictable, needing a wildcard to enter the main draw
in Tokyo. Until the tournament’s start, she held a poor 10-24 record, facing
frequent early-round losses and ranked only No. 155. However, when the former
Australian Open champion finds her rhythm, she has the potential to be in the
top ranks. This week, she defeated players like Xinyu Wang (No. 39), Daria
Kasatkina (No. 9), and Katie Boulter (No. 33).
Read also
Kenin also
experienced physical issues on Saturday during her doubles match, where she
reached the semifinals with Bethanie Mattek-Sands. A right leg injury forced
her to retire when the score was 2-5 against Laura Siegemund and Ena Shibahara.
"The plan is to play. I’ll do everything I can for tomorrow," Kenin
said after the match.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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