"Not to be dramatic but Kenin is back" - Tennis fans celebrate Sofia Kenin's first top-20 win since French Open 2020

Tennis fans were delighted to see a glimpse of Sofia Kenin from 2020 after she registered her first win against a top-20 player in over two years earlier today (February 14).Playing at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, the World No. 210 outclassed Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the 2023 Qatar Open. Kenin, who entered the tournament with a wildcard, beat the 15th-ranked Russian 6-3, 6-1 in one hour and 29 minutes to reach the second round.The 24-year-old American broke her opponent as many as six times over two sets. The last time she won against a top-20 player was in the semifinals of the 2020 French Open when she downed Petra Kvitova in straight sets before losing to Iga Swiatek in the final.The tennis world was thrilled to see the 2020 Australian Open champion get back to winning ways and hoped for her to return among the top players quickly. However, quite a few fans also believe that Samsonova was tired after her loss to Belinda Bencic in the title clash of the Abu Dhabi Open two days ago.&quot;Kenin is getting better and better again with each month. Still far from a consistent top player, but good enough to be beating and dominating against top 20 opponents. Samsonova far from her best after last week's effort, still never had a chance today. Way too good from Sofia,&quot; a fan tweeted.Alex | Tennis 🎾@Alex_BorochKenin is getting better and better again with each month. Still far from a consistent top player, but good enough to be beating and dominating against top 20 opponents. Samsonova far from her best after last week's effort, still never had a chance today. Way too good from Sofia.61Kenin is getting better and better again with each month. Still far from a consistent top player, but good enough to be beating and dominating against top 20 opponents. Samsonova far from her best after last week's effort, still never had a chance today. Way too good from Sofia.&quot;I imagine Samsonova was tired but that was still serious grit from Kenin. Especially that 20+ point game in the 2nd. A year ago I could see her losing that game — and then the match. Hopefully she’s turning the corner,&quot; a user wrote.Max Sloves@BurritoSavant@josemorgado I imagine Samsonova was tired but that was still serious grit from Kenin. Especially that 20+ point game in the 2nd. A year ago I could see her losing that game — and then the match. Hopefully she’s turning the corner.2@josemorgado I imagine Samsonova was tired but that was still serious grit from Kenin. Especially that 20+ point game in the 2nd. A year ago I could see her losing that game — and then the match. Hopefully she’s turning the corner.&quot;Sofia Kenin gets her first Top 20 win since Roland Garros 2020. She then beat #11 Kvitová in the semifinals. 2 years and 4 months later. It's her third Top 20 win in the last 4 seasons overall (also defeated #1 Barty at Australian Open 2020),&quot; another tweet read.JI (Juan Ignacio)@juanignacio_ac Sofia Kenin gets her first Top 20 win since... Roland Garros 2020. She then beat #11 Kvitová in the semifnals. 2 years and 4 months later.It's her third Top 20 win in the last 4 seasons overall (also defeated #1 Barty at Australian Open 2020).363🇺🇸 Sofia Kenin gets her first Top 20 win since... Roland Garros 2020. She then beat #11 Kvitová in the semifnals. 2 years and 4 months later.It's her third Top 20 win in the last 4 seasons overall (also defeated #1 Barty at Australian Open 2020). https://t.co/Hlkw5TWUgRHere are some more reactions:23 | ugonwa@RENAWlLLlAMSnot to be dramatic but kenin is back1not to be dramatic but kenin is backTick Tock Tennis@TickTockTennisWell... dang!Sofia Kenin's game has shown some promising signs the last few months. But, this is a big step in the right direction!The 2020 Australian Open champ sweeps past last week's runner-up in Abu Dhabi, thumping Liudmila Samsonova, 6-3, 6-1 to reach round 2 in Doha. 31Well... dang!Sofia Kenin's game has shown some promising signs the last few months. But, this is a big step in the right direction!The 2020 Australian Open champ sweeps past last week's runner-up in Abu Dhabi, thumping Liudmila Samsonova, 6-3, 6-1 to reach round 2 in Doha. 👏 https://t.co/SWyRt4D7OVJust Another Sunday!@PliskovaINKenin is eating god we've prayed for times like this3Kenin is eating god we've prayed for times like thisMario Boccardi@marioboc17Great play from Sofia Kenin to beat the Abu Dhabi finalist and world #15 Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-1 after 1h26She's back into the Top 200, will face Kudermetova in the Doha R25Great play from Sofia Kenin to beat the Abu Dhabi finalist and world #15 Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-1 after 1h26She's back into the Top 200, will face Kudermetova in the Doha R2 https://t.co/SUecb1SXoJDenizTheTennis@denizthetenisKenin really one of the most entertaining to watch when she is on 8Kenin really one of the most entertaining to watch when she is on 🔥Harry Mowat@Abraham_4932020s Plyr of the year, has some nasty 🤢 power &amp; easy timing in her arsnl twitter.com/josemorgado/st…José Morgado@josemorgadoGrand Slam champ Sofia Kenin plays her best match in years to beat #15 Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-1 and reach the 2nd round in Doha.Nice use of her wild card.807Grand Slam champ Sofia Kenin plays her best match in years to beat #15 Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-1 and reach the 2nd round in Doha.Nice use of her wild card.2020s Plyr of the year, has some nasty 🤢 power 💥 &amp; easy timing in her arsnl twitter.com/josemorgado/st…ohh, she's taking it@Vee16QueenCrazy Kenin Krew, RISE! First Top 15 win since RG 2020 I think162Crazy Kenin Krew, RISE! First Top 15 win since RG 2020 I think😭 https://t.co/NOp4djDMBTSofia Kenin to face Veronika Kudermetova in Qatar Open R2Sofia Kenin during the 2023 Australian OpenAfter gaining a confidence-boosting win over Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the WTA 500 Qatar Open, Sofia Kenin will square off against eighth seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round on Wednesday, February 15.This will be the second tour-level meeting between the two players, with Kenin defeating her 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in the first round of the 2019 Australian Open. In her opening match in Doha, 11th-ranked Kudermetova edged Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5).

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