🎾 WTA Madrid: Sofia Kenin vs Anastasia Potapova

🎾 WTA Madrid: Sofia Kenin vs Anastasia Potapova – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇷🇺 Anastasia Potapova

• Clay Comeback: Rebounded from a Stuttgart withdrawal with wins over Ashlyn Krueger and World No. 8 Zheng Qinwen.
• Top-10 Breakthrough: Snapped an eight-match losing streak against top-10 opponents with her win over Zheng.
• Madrid Milestone: Advanced past the second round here for the first time, signaling a positive turn in her clay season.
• Momentum Builder: Riding a wave of confidence after her biggest win of the year.

🇺🇸 Sofia Kenin

• Madrid Breakthrough: Scored her first-ever Madrid main-draw victory, defeating Lulu Sun in straight sets.
• Resurgent Form: Climbed back into the top 40 after falling as low as No. 168 last September.
• Deep Runs Returning: Made five quarterfinals since October 2024, including finals in Tokyo and Charleston (WTA 500 events).
• Big-Match Pedigree: Former Roland-Garros finalist, known for her composure in high-pressure scenarios.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Potapova’s powerful baseline game and ability to dictate with her forehand will be major weapons. Her newfound confidence, after beating a top-10 opponent, could make her especially dangerous. However, lapses in focus remain a concern, particularly when she’s leading.

Kenin, on the other hand, brings a grinding, tactical style. She thrives in longer rallies, uses smart placement to disrupt rhythm, and can transition from defense to offense when needed. Her clay-court improvements add an extra layer of danger if the match turns physical.

Ultimately, this matchup hinges on whether Potapova can control her aggression and whether Kenin can extend rallies to capitalize on potential inconsistencies.

🔮 Prediction

✔️ Prediction: Sofia Kenin in 3 sets

Expect heavy hitting and momentum swings, but Kenin’s superior patience, tactical awareness, and match toughness should help her edge through a tight contest.

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