Pliskova and Kenin ousted at the Western and Southern Open
The Western and Southern Open began over the weekend in New York this year with surprising early round outcomes. Karolina Pliskova ranked third as well as Sofia Kenin ranked fourth in the WTA have exited the event. Eliminated in the second after a first round bye! Pliskova came undone a respectable 5-7, 4-6 by, the 23 years old Russian, Kudermetova, whereas, Kenin could muster only one game in the first against the Frenchwoman Alize Cornet. With Pliskova and Kenin ousted, the event lost its top and second seed in the second round.
Pliskova’s loss is more shocking of the two
Alize Cornet is a veteran with a 448/360 win/loss record as compared with 205/116 for Kenin. Cornet defeated Sofia in 2018 even though the record favors Kenin 2-1.
Karolina Pliskova’s loss, however, is a shocker and quite unexpected. Veronika Kudermetova lost in striaght in 2018 to Pliskova and never won a WTA singles event so far. Pliskova, the ace queen, on the other hand has won 16 as well as nearly $20 million in life-time earnings compared with $1.37 million for Veronika.
Not only Pliskova and Kenin ousted early but also Brady
Not only were Pliskova and Kenin ousted early, but also Jennifer Brady, who was on fire, only a week ago, at the Lexington Open. That fire, however, was conspicuous by its absence in the loss to her countrywoman Jessica Pegula. Brady won her maiden title in Lexington last week and appeared a little out of it against Pegula. We hope she can regain focus and strength for the US Open 2020.
Also read – Pliskova and Murray’s prospects in 2018
The unseeded Azarenka, however, defeated the dangerous and 15th seeded Donna Vekic in straight. Victora, though ranked outside of the top 50, is a considerable force as well as past slam champion, and cannot be taken lightly.
Venus Williams out, but Maria Sakkari defeats Cori Gauff
The teenager Cori Gauf performed well at the Lexington Open but easily dispatched by the Greek woman Maria Sakkari here. Maria, though not a prodigy like Coco, is a threat and not to be underestimated. Sakkari will meet Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan, in the second round of the Southern & Western Open.
The 40 years old Venus Williams lost 7-5, 2-6, 5-7 to 21 years old Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine. Venus suffered a heart wrenching loss to her younger sister Serena just a week ago at the Lexington Open. Venus is a force of nature and we wish her the best for the US Open 2020.