WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva- Preview, Head to Head & Prediction

WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021: Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva- Preview, Head to Head & Prediction
Yulia Putintseva Sofia Kenin

Sofia Kenin, World no.4 and top seed at the Abu Dhabi Open will clash against Yulia Putintseva, seeded 13th, in the third round. Kirsten Flipkens, her second round opponent, suffered a freakish injury on court, giving Sofia Kenin a walkover victory. Yulia Putintseva recorded a straight sets victory over her opponent Barbora Krejčíková in the second round, to take her place alongside Sofia in the third round.  

Match Details:

  • Date: 10th January, 2021
  • Tournament: Abu Dhabi Women’s Tennis Open 2021
  • Fixture: Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva
  • Venue: Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Category: WTA 500
  • Round: Round of 16(Third round)
  • Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
  • Prize money: $565,530

Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva : Match Preview

Sofia Kenin

Starting the tournament with an easy victory against Zhaoxuan Yang, Kenin was a little complacent in the second round. But, she was in for a rude shock as veteran tennis player Kirsten Flipkens matched her toe to toe. In Fact Flipkins took the first set 7-5. With the score line at 5-4 and Kenin in the lead, Flipkins hit an advertising block and hurt her ankle. That was the end of the match and Kenin got a pass into the third round. Yulia Putintseva might have won her match against Barbora Krejčíková in straight sets but she had to fight for it. Both players fought hard, but lady luck was on Putintseva’s side today as she overcame three break points to register a straight sets win. 

Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva : Head-to-Head

Yulia Putintseva

This will be the first encounter between these two players on the WTA Tour. So the record stands at 0-0. 

FS Video

Sofia Kenin vs Yulia Putintseva : Match Prediction

Sofia Kenin

Putintseva comes from the ‘Rafael Nadal’ school of tennis. She runs down every ball, defends doggedly and just tries to make you play that one extra shot in every rally. Sofia Kenin is a Grand Slam winner, is seeded top, and has made a name for herself. But, in this tournament she still hasn’t found her groove. And her unforced error count is embarrassing to say the least. This match will go down to the wire. 

Match Prediction: Sofia Kenin will win in three sets. 

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