Yarra Valley Classic 2021: Sofia Kenin vs Camila Giorgi Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction

Yarra Valley Classic 2021: Sofia Kenin vs Camila Giorgi Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction
Sofia Kenin

Sofia Kenin is the considered the future of American tennis. After a breakthrough 2020 season, she is all set to make 2021 even more memorable as she comes into the new season as one of the strongest bids for the majors this year. Now she opens her campaign at WTA 500 Yarra Valley Classic against Camila Giorgi.

Match Details:

  • Fixture: Sofia Kenin vs Camila Giorgi
  • Date: 2 February 2021
  • Tournament: Yarra Valley Classic
  • Round: Round of 32
  • Venue: Melbourne, Australia
  • Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Sofia Kenin v Camila Giorgi: Preview

Sofia Kenin

It was a stellar 2020 season for Sofia Kenin. She won her maiden grand slam at Melbourne Park and was runner-up at the French Open. And 2020 was a year where most players lost their bearings because of the pandemic. Still the American managed to do make it memorable for her.

Now after making herself a name in the women’s circuit comes the tougher part. And that is to back her performances up, given coaches and players would be more attuned to her style of play, and the tactics to use against her.

FS Video

This scare was on show at the Abu Dhabi Open earlier in January, where Kenin made it to the quarterfinal only to lose to Maria Sakkari. No doubt Sakkari is a dangerous player in her own right, but to go down 6-2, 6-0 after winning the first set did no good to her confidence.

Her opponent, Italian Camila Giorgi comes over from a straight set victory in the Round of 64. She defeated Frenchwoman Clara Burel 6-4, 6-3 in an encounter lasting an hour and 20 minutes to set up  this meeting with Kenin.

The 76th-ranked Italian comes into this season without much to show for her efforts last year. She ended 2020 on a positive note, with a 17-13 win-loss record, but her best performance came early in the post-pandemic season when she made it to the semifinal in Palermo.

The 29-year old is a fighter on court.  Between her Qatar Open campaign in February and the end of the season, the Italian featured in nine victories and only two of them came in straight sets.

Sofia Kenin vs Camila Giorgi: Head-to-Head

Camila Giorgi

Sofia Kenin is just 22-year old and hence hasn’t been on tour as much as her 29-year old opponent. There have been no previous matches between Kenin and Giorgi. The two will face each other for the first time.

Sofia Kenin vs Camila Giorgi: Prediction

Although Giorgi is a fierce hitter of the tennis ball, Kenin would trust herself with her defence. Kenin has already played four matches on the tour coming into this tournament, which means there should no rustiness for her. Combining it with Giorgi’s struggles against top opponents and we could be looking an easy win for the American to kick off the proceedings here.

Prediction: Sofia Kenin to win in straight sets.

Also Read: Yarra Valley Classic 2021: “It feels good to be back” – Serena Williams eases into third round