In a rematch from the third round of the 2024 French Open, Sofia Kenin and Clara Tauson will face each other in the round of 16 at the Tokyo Open.
Earlier this week, Kenin upset 10th seeded Wang Xinyu 6-1 6-4, while Tauson had no trouble with Nao Hibino, winning that match 6-2 6-3.
Match preview
© Imago
For the first time since the Tennis in the Land tournament in August, Sofia Kenin has made it into the last 16 of a WTA singles tournament.
In her round of 32 clash this week, the American won a sparkling 83% of her first serves and 80% of her second serves to advance.
She also managed to convert three of her eight break-point opportunities, enabling her to earn a place in the next stage of this competition.
The last time she made it to this round of a WTA singles event, the American was beaten in straight sets by Clara Burel (4-6 3-6).
So far, in 2024, she has featured in 28 matches and boasted a first-serve percentage of 67.3% while winning 55.3% of her service games.
Kenin has only won 44.3% of her second serves to this stage of the 2024 campaign, while overall winning just 63.3% of her service games for the year.
© Imago
After losing her qualifying match last weekend to Sayaka Ishii (6-1 5-7 5-7), Clara Tauson has made the most of her second chance.
The lucky loser followed up that disappointment with a comfortable straight-sets win over Honori Koyama before another straightforward triumph in the round of 32.
Against Hibino, the young Dane managed to win 62% of her first serves and claimed seven of her nine break-point opportunities to advance.
As a result, the 21-year-old is one victory away from a third successive quarter-final appearance at a WTA singles event, defeating Harriet Dart to get to the last eight of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open.
This year, Tauson is an even 12-12 on the hard court, winning 35.1% of her return games on that surface and 67.9% of her service games.
The Dane has saved 57.3% of her break points in 2024 and won 43.1% of her second serves despite registering nearly as many double faults as she has aces (144 to 145).
Tournament so far
Sofia Kenin:
Round of 32: vs. Wang Xinyu 6-1 6-4
Clara Tauson:
Qualifier: vs. Sayaka Ishii 6-1 5-7 5-7
Qualifier: vs. Honori Koyama 6-0 6-1
Round of 32: vs. Nao Hibino 6-2 6-3
Head To Head
French Open (2024) - Third Round: Tauson wins 6-2 7-5
When these two met on the clay court at Rolland Garros earlier this year, Tauson won 69% of her first serves, while Kenin registered eight double faults, enabling the Dane to advance.
We say: Tauson to win in two sets
Tauson has shown an ability to cover plenty of ground, and her stamina and strength should lead her to the quarter-finals of this tournament.
