'Feisty' Kenin tops Kvitova to reach Roland Garros final

Sofia Kenin is through to her second Grand Slam final of this unprecedented season after a 6-4, 7-5 win over Petra Kvitova in Thursday's Roland Garros semifinals.

The 21-year-old American came into the match having won four of her five French Open matches in three sets, including against compatriot Danielle Collins in the quarters, while Kvitova entered without dropping a set. But that quickly changed, as Kenin jumped out to a double-break lead at 4-1 in the opening set before closing it out on serve.

Kenin’s well-rounded game fared well in blustery conditions, as Kvitova struggled to power through the atmosphere and her opponent on Court Philippe-Chatrier. 

“I felt like I could not overpower her,” Kenin said of her tactics, which included a bevy of exquisite drop shots in addition to 23 total winners. “I knew I just needed to adjust my game. I had to control the points, move her, dictate, try not to give her short balls, try to have a good serve… more first serves than second.”

The American scored another early break in set two, then saved four break points in a five-deuce, 10-minute game to consolidate for 4-2. Serving for the match at 5-4, Kenin was broken for the second time in the match, but she responded emphatically to notch her fourth break on the day and then serve it out on her second opportunity. 

“Fiesty. One word, fiesty,” Kenin said in describing her attitude on court. 

The reigning Australian Open champ and world No. 6 will be the elder stateswoman in Saturday’s final, when she takes on Poland’s Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, 19, had never been beyond the Round of 16 in six previous Slams, and is seeking her first WTA title as she begins to cash in on her tremendous potential. It will be the pair's first WTA meeting, though they did meet in the 2016 French Open girls' singles third round, when Swiatek won in straights.

Like Kvitova, Swiatek will enter the Kenin matchup without dropping a set on the fortnight. 

“Of course, she's playing some great tennis, having great results,” Kenin said of her final opponent. “Petra also had not lost a set here. I mean, that obviously doesn't mean anything if I'm playing well... I'm hoping that with my experience from Melbourne, it will help me for Saturday's final.”

Kenin, with one more victory, could become the first woman to win multiple singles Slams in a single year since Angelique Kerber in 2016. She could also become the seventh American woman to accomplish that feat in the Open era, following in the footsteps of legends Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King. The Florida resident won her maiden major at the 2020 Australian Open. 

“It’s so special, honestly,” Kenin said of her reaching a second Grand Slam final in 2020. “I’m just really grateful with the way that I’m playing, with the way things are going. It’s not easy getting to a Grand Slam final.”

While Kenin has a day off on Friday to prepare for the title match, Swiatek will take to Court Suzanne-Lenglen in women’s doubles action. The duo of Swiatek and American Nicole Melichar will take Desirae Krawczyk, also of the U.S., and American-born Chilean Alexa Guarachi. The matchup guarantees an American in the women’s doubles final.

American David Wagner will also be in action Friday, in the wheelchair Quad third-place match.