Fascinating quarterfinal lineup in Cincinnati today

Big smile from @SofiaKenin after her straight set win over Elina Svitolina in Cincinnati pic.twitter.com/OMhmfiYuzY

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) August 16, 2019

 

World number 1 Naomi Osaka takes on Sonya Kenin in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open today. Osaka was put to the test in the third round by the inimitable Hsieh Su-Wei, and Kenin--with only a slight wobble--dominated 7th seed Elina Svitolina in the second night match.

Serving for the match at 4-5 in the second set, Kenin double-faulted, then double-faulted again to get broken. But in what we have now come to see as "the Kenin way," she made a rapid mental recovery and just went on with her business on the court and won the match in a tiebreak. Kenin was in command of the baseline, at times hurling shots into the corner in a Kvitova-like fashion, and she also executed a number of deadly drop shots. Kenin's timing on drop shots is excellent; she knows exactly when to use them.

Simona Halep, struggling with a left foot problem that hampered her signature movement, lost in three sets to Madison Keys, who has been playing exceptionally well in Cincinnati.

Here is the singles quarterfinal draw:

Ashleigh Barty (1) vs. Maria Sakkari
Karolina Pliskova (3) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova
Venus Williams vs. Madison Keys (16)
Sonya Kenin vs. Naomi Osaka (2)

Just when I thought yesterday’s match point shot of the twins couldn’t be topped..

Kaja & Kris are through into the doubles semi-final at @CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/bAcoixrdYz

— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) August 16, 2019

 

In doubles, top seeds Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora Strycova gave a walkover to their quarterfinal opponents, 8th seeds Lucie Hradecka and Andrja Klepac. They will play Karolina and Kristyna Pliskova in the semifinals. The Pliskova sisters, playing with a wild card, upset 3rd seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in the quarterfinals.

In the other semifinal, 5th seeds Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Demi Schuurs will compete against Bethanie Mattek-Sands and CoCo Vandeweghe.