Tennis: Defending champ Kenin loses in 2nd round at Australian Open
February 11, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
The United States Sofia Kenin sits in her chair between games during her second round match against Estonia s Kaia Kanepi at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 11, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Sofia Kenin knew this would be a tough test at the Australian Open, a potentially early end to her first attempt to defend a Grand Slam title. Upon realizing she probably would be playing big-hitting veteran Kaia Kanepi in the second round, Kenin acknowledged, she maybe kind of broke down a little bit.
Australian Open: Defending champ Sofia Kenin ousted in second round
Sofia Kenin admits she couldn’t really handle the pressure and falls to hard-hitting veteran Kaia Kanepi, while Rafael Nadal rolls along with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win.
By JOHN PYEAssociated Press
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Sofia Kenin leaves the court following her second round loss to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi at the Australian Open on Thursday.
Rick Rycroft/Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia Sofia Kenin knew this would be a tough test at the Australian Open, a potentially early end to her first attempt to defend a Grand Slam title.
Upon realizing she probably would be playing big-hitting veteran Kaia Kanepi in the second round, Kenin acknowledged, she “maybe kind of broke down a little bit.”
Sydney, Feb. 9, 2021 Spaniard Rafael Nadal made it through to the Australian Open’s second round as he downed Serb Laslo Djere 6-3 6-4 6-1 on Tuesday.
The 20-time grand slam winner had been struggling with a back injury in recent months but it did not appear to hold him back as he powered against number-56-ranked Djere.
“I needed to survive today and that’s what I did. Just tried to be focused all the time, tried to get through,” said Nadal, the 2009 champion at Melbourne Park.
“Here I am to try my best as always. That’s it. Let’s go day by day. Today I was able to find a way to be through. That gives me the chance to have one more day tomorrow,” Nadal added.