CONFIDENT KENIN CONTINUES RESURGENCE BY REACHING GUADALAJARA SEMIS

Reuters 

Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin reached back-to-back semi-finals for the first time since 2019 as the American downed unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-7(6) 6-1 in the Guadalajara Open on Thursday.

Kenin had reached a career-high number four in the world rankings after her 2020 Melbourne triumph and finished runner-up at the French Open later that season, before injuries, illness and off-court issues saw her drop to 235 last year.

But the resurgent 24-year-old has battled her way back to 53 in the world and is now seeking a first trophy of the season and sixth overall having lost in three sets to Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the San Diego Open last week.

WTA ROUNDUP: RUSSIA TEEN WIN OPENER AT GUANGZHOU

Reuters

Russian 19-year-old Diana Shnaider took down eighth-seeded American Claire Liu 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Guangzhou Open on Monday in China.

Shnaider won six straight games in the first set and came back from a 2-0 hole in the second set to win in 75 minutes. She broke Liu's serve six times in eight chances.

Also falling on the first day of the main draw was sixth seed Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic. Denmark's Clara Tauson eliminated Fruhvirtova 6-2, 7-6 (6).

No. 1 seed Magda Linette of Poland avoided a similar fate, rallying past Jodie Burrage of Great Britain 6-7 (3), 6-0, 6-2.

No. 5 seed Rebeka Masarova of Spain, No. 7 seed Greet Minnen of Belgium and Harriet Dart of Great Britain also won their opening matches.