All posts tagged Sofia Kenin
Empire State of Mind in Mountain State as @NYEmpireTennis Advance to @WorldTeamTennis Final
Posted by Admin on August 1, 2020
Posted in: ATP, World Team Tennis, WTA.	Tagged: Caroline Dolehide, coco vandeweghe, COVID-19 Tennis, greenbrier, Jack Sock, Semifinal, Sofia Kenin, Taylor Fritz, taylor townsend, west virginia, world team tennis.	Leave a comment
The New York Empire advanced to the World Team Tennis final at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia with a 22-18 win over the top-seeded Philadelphia Freedoms this afternoon.
Jack Sock and Neal Skupski broke serve and started New York off with a 2 game lead after beating Fabrice Martin and Taylor Fritz, 5-3. They never relinquished that lead. Coco Vandeweghe played Sofia Kenin close in a 5-4 loss and frankly, did her job by minimizing the effectiveness of the Freedoms most potent weapon.
The big turning point of the affair came when Sock and Vandeweghe posted a 5-1 mixed doubles win over Taylor Townsend and Fabrice Martin/Taylor Fritz. Fritz was inserted into the match after the Freedoms were down 4-0. Vandeweghe teamed up with Nicole Melichar against Townsend and Caroline Dolehide. Philadelphia scrapped to a 5-3 win to keep hope alive. In the final set, Taylor Fritz needed a miracle comeback against Sock to turn the match for Philadelphia. Fritz challenged Sock all the way to the tiebreak, which Sock won 5-3 to seal the victory for his team.
—S. Fogleman in White Sulphur Springs, WV
Who Says You Can't Do The Charleston in 2020? Women's Tennis Resumes Next Week With @CreditOneBank Invitational #Tennisisback
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open.	Tagged: 2021 Volvo Car Open, charleston, Coronavirus, Credit One Bank Invitational, LTP Daniel Island, madison keys, sloane stephens, Sofia Kenin, South Carolina, vika azarenka.	Leave a comment
Who Says You Can't Do The Charleston in 2020? Women's Tennis Resumes Next Week With @CreditOneBank Invitational
CREDIT ONE BANK INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES MATCH SCHEDULE, SCORING AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Tournament will receive live coverage on Tennis Channel June 23 – 28 daily at 4pm EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Competitive professional tennis returns to Charleston, SC next week with the new Credit One Bank Invitational, contested June 23 – 28 at LTP Daniel Island. The 16-player team event will receive more than 40 hours of live coverage on Tennis Channel and raise funds for frontline healthcare workers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
The public has played an important role in MUSC's response to the pandemic. To date, community donations have supported testing, medical research and relief for MUSC healthcare workers experiencing financial hardships due to the virus. Throughout the tournament, viewers wishing to support these efforts can make gifts online at give.musc.edu/CreditOneBank.
Sloane Stephens (Photo credit:KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)
The tournament will kick off on Tennis Channel on June 22 at 8pm EST with the Credit One Bank Invitational draft with team captains, Madison Keys (Team Kindness) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Team Peace). The captain who wins the coin toss, happening at a media online press conference earlier in the week, will have first draft pick, then the captains will alternate until all selections have been made. Tennis Channel will air each player's profile during the draft with information on their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) for singles and doubles. Results from the tournament will be counted towards each player's individual UTR.
Tennis Channel will air live coverage of the Credit One Bank Invitational every day at 4pm EST from June 23 – June 28.
"We are excited to support the Credit One Bank Invitational and its exciting team format with Universal Tennis' innovative tools and technology," said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. "When matches count for UTR, local play has a global impact. Every tennis player in the world, from the pros in Charleston to recreational players, can view their rating, monitor their competitive ability and register for events on MyUTR.com for free."
Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
The Credit One Bank Invitational's player field includes reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin as well as Keys, Mattek-Sands, Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, Amanda Anisimova, Monica Puig, Ajla Tomljanovic, Danielle Collins, Alison Riske, Shelby Rogers, Genie Bouchard, Jennifer Brady, Leylah Fernandez, Emma Navarro and Caroline Dolehide. Bianca Andreescu was originally slated to play in the tournament, but has withdrawn from the event. Dolehide has taken her place in the field.
The event has worked closely with MUSC throughout the planning process to ensure a secure environment for all players and staff. MUSC developed the event's official health and safety protocol plan, and their 'Back to Work' team established the tournament's health guidelines, which include: on-site testing, daily temperature tests and health questionnaires, sanitizing equipment at high touch areas and mandatory face masks for all personnel. Housing for players will also be located within walking distance of the stadium.
To maintain social distancing guidelines, each competitor will have her own lounge around the stadium, where she can cheer on her teammates. Tennis Channel will air behind-the-scenes content filmed by players throughout the tournament and check-in with players in their lounges during the broadcast for updates.
On court, players will call their own lines and the tournament will only use one official. Two ball crew members will wear gloves and use equipment to avoid touching the tennis balls. Players will be responsible for handling their own towels and refreshments.
The tournament will be conducted without fans and media. It is currently the largest-scale tennis event to be confirmed since the sport went on hiatus to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Credit One Bank Invitational is part of Tennis Channel's Re(Open) Tour, a series of events and exhibitions taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
West Virginia to Become Temporary Capital of Tennis World as @FTiafoe, @GenieBouchard, Jack Sock, @MilosRaonic & @MonicaAce93 Puig Join 2020 @WorldTeamTennis
Posted in: World Team Tennis.	Tagged: frances tiafoe, Genie Bouchard, Greenbrier Resort, Jack Sock, milos raonic, Monica Puig, sloane stephens, Sofia Kenin, west virginia, world team tennis.	Leave a comment
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (June 16, 2020) – World TeamTennis has added several prominent tennis stars to an already jam-packed lineup of roster players set to compete during the 45th season of World TeamTennis, taking place at The Greenbrier "America's Resort" in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
WTT has announced that each player will play the entire three-week regular season, scheduled for July 12-30, with the WTT Semifinals (Aug. 1) and WTT Final (Aug. 2) to follow.
Monica Puig, 2018 Connecticut Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
Rising American Frances Tiafoe, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jack Sock and two former Wimbledon singles finalists from Canada – Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard – will play World TeamTennis this season, joining previously announced players such as reigning Australian Open singles champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens and Mike and Bob Bryan, tennis' all-time winningest doubles team. In addition, six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters will join U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish playing for the New York Empire in 2020.
Genie Bouchard, 2017 Citi Open (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
"I can't wait for the WTT season to start," Tiafoe said. "I've played WTT for the last three years on the Kastles for some of their home matches in D.C. I'm excited to go to The Greenbrier to play there for the Kastles next month. Everyone knows 2020 has been a rough year so far. I am definitely looking forward to competing at such a historic venue in such a relaxed setting."
Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return to Evgenlya Rodina of Russia during their 2018 US Open women's match August 27, 2018 in New York. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)
Added Sloane Stephens: "I've played WTT for, I think, six years now, and it's always something I look forward to. Especially this year. I know we all miss playing tennis and seeing our friends on the tour, so I'm excited to get to The Greenbrier and get in that environment again. WTT always does such a great job with creating a fun, but competitive, season so I'm ready for that. Plus, I'm playing on Chicago's team, which is cool because Kamau (Murray) is the coach, so that will be fun."
Kenin, the 21-year-old Floridian who currently sits at a career-high No. 4 singles ranking in the world, will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms. The Vegas Rollers will feature 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey and the Bryan Brothers.
Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren will play for the Orlando Storm while doubles specialists Rajeev Ram (Chicago Smash), 2019 WTT Finals MVP Robert Lindstedt (Springfield Lasers) and brothers Neal (New York Empire) and Ken Skupski (Orlando) return this season.
The San Diego Aviators will boast three past Grand Slam doubles champions in Coco Vandeweghe (2018 US Open), Ryan Harrison (2017 French Open) and Nicole Melichar (2018 Wimbledon). Two-time NCAA singles champion Danielle Collins (Virginia in 2014, 2016) will play for Orlando and two-time NCAA singles champion Steve Johnson (with USC in 2011-2012) will lead the Orange County (Calif.) Breakers.
"Our player rosters are the strongest we've ever fielded for a WTT season and include multiple players with Grand Slam titles," WTT CEO Carlos Silva said. "We have a sampling of current stars like Sloane (Stephens), Sofia (Kenin), Vegas Rollers teammates Sam Querrey and Mike and Bob Bryan, as well as a look at tennis' future impact players with Brandon Nakashima and Caty McNally. Tennis fans are starving to see some great action on the courts and that's what we plan to deliver all season."
World TeamTennis' schedule will include at least three matches per day at Center Court at Creekside, The Greenbrier's outdoor stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at www.WTTTickets.com.
The following are the player rosters and coaches for the 2020 WTT season (subject to change with future additions):
Chicago Smash: Brandon Nakashima, Sloane Stephens, Evan King, Genie Bouchard, Rajeev Ram: Coach: Kamau Murray
New York Empire: Mardy Fish, Jack Sock, Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki, Neal Skupski, Kveta Peschke. Coach: Luke Jensen
Orange County (Calif.) Breakers: Steve Johnson, Luke Bambridge, Andreja Klepac, Milos Raonic. Coach: Rick Leach
Orlando Storm: James Ward, Danielle Collins, Ken Skupski, Darija Jurak, Tennys Sandgren. Coach: Jay Gooding
Philadelphia Freedoms: Donald Young, Taylor Townsend, Fabrice Martin, Caroline Dolehide, Sofia Kenin. Coach: Craig Kardon
San Diego Aviators: Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Jonny O'Mara, Nicole Melichar, Coco Vandeweghe. Coach: John Lloyd
Springfield (Mo.) Lasers: Mitchell Krueger, Olga Govortsova, Robert Lindstedt, Hayley Carter, Jean-Julien Rojer, Caty McNally. Coach: John-Laffnie de Jager
Vegas Rollers: Sam Querrey, Kristie Ahn, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Asia Muhammad, Monica Puig. Coach: Tim Blenkiron
Washington (D.C.) Kastles: Marcelo Arevalo, Bernarda Pera, Nick Monroe, Arina Rodionova, Frances Tiafoe. Coach: Robby Ginepri
All of WTT's 2020 regular season and playoff matches will be televised on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel or the ESPN family of networks. In addition, select matches will be live-streamed on ESPN+, Facebook Watch or WTT.com. World TeamTennis' complete season broadcast schedule will be announced on WTT.com at a later date.
Safety guidelines have been put into place by World TeamTennis with guidance of local and state government officials in West Virginia and an adherence to all health and safety protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Every fan at The Greenbrier will be required to pass a temperature check of 100.4 degrees before entering the grounds. All fans will be checked a second time before entering the outdoor stadium, Center Court at Creekside, or indoor court for any matches and will be denied entry should they fail the temperature check.
—S. Pratt
Wild, Wonderful World Team Tennis, Anyone? @WorldTeamTennis Serving Up 2020 Season in Style at Greenbrier Resort in WV
Posted in: World Team Tennis.	Tagged: bryan brothers, Carlos Silva, Grigor Dimitrov, sam querrey, sloane stephens, Sofia Kenin, Tenny Sandgren, west virginia, world team tennis.	Leave a comment
Wild, Wonderful World Team Tennis, Anyone? WTT Serving Up 2020 Season in Style at Greenbrier Resort in WV
WORLD TEAM TENNIS SET TO HIT THE COURT AT THE GREENBRIER IN WEST VIRGINIA FOR ITS 45TH SEASON IN 2020 – JULY 12-AUG. 2
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. (May 26, 2020) – World TeamTennis announced it has committed to play the entirety of its 45th season at The Greenbrier "America's Resort" in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. This will be the first major professional tennis league to resume operations since the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.
All told, the 2020 World TeamTennis season will showcase a 63-match regular season over 19 consecutive days from July 12-30, with the WTT Playoffs to follow on Aug. 1 (WTT Semifinals) and Aug. 2 (WTT Final). The top four teams from WTT's regular season standings will advance to the WTT Playoffs. CBS will air a regular season match on July 19 and the WTT Final on August 2. CBS Sports Network will carry 13 regular season matches and both semifinals on August 1.
World TeamTennis' schedule will include at least three matches per day at The Greenbrier's 2,500-seat outdoor stadium, with an indoor court to be installed as a backup option, for WTT's nine franchises – the expansion Chicago Smash, New York Empire, Orange County (Calif.) Breakers, Orlando Storm, Philadelphia Freedoms, San Diego Aviators, 2018 and 2019 WTT champion Springfield (Mo.) Lasers, Vegas Rollers and Washington (D.C.) Kastles. The matches are scheduled to begin anywhere from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. ET (subject to changes in broadcast schedules).
In accordance with state health guidelines, WTT will allow up to 500 fans (20% capacity) to attend its outdoor matches. Ticket pricing and access points will be announced at a later date.
Participating players in the 2020 WTT season include 2020 Australian Open champion and World No. 4 Sofia Kenin (Philadelphia Freedoms), 2017 U.S. Open champ and 2018 French Open finalist Sloane Stephens (Chicago Smash), Grigor Dimitrov (Orange County Breakers), the Vegas Rollers' Sam Querrey and Bob and Mike Bryan, the winningest and most accomplished doubles team in tennis history, Tennys Sandgren (Orlando Storm) and doubles specialists Rajeev Ram (Chicago), Jean-Julien Rojer (Springfield Lasers) and Neal Skupski (New York Empire), the 2019 WTT Male Most Valuable Player.
The 2020 World TeamTennis season will be powered by Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), the world's most accurate tennis rating system. All WTT matches will count towards players' UTR rating, and MyUTR.com technology will be used to set daily matchups by WTT team coaches and be integrated in WTT's media broadcasts throughout the three-week competition.
All of WTT's 2020 regular season and playoff matches will be televised or live-streamed on media partners CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel, ESPN+ and/or WTT.com, the league's official website. World TeamTennis' complete regular season schedule and its daily broadcast schedule will be announced on WTT.com at a later date.
"All of us at World TeamTennis are extremely grateful to be able to play the 45th World TeamTennis season and present professional tennis to our sports-starved and tennis-starved audiences through our media partners at CBS Sports, ESPN and Tennis Channel," WTT CEO Carlos Silva said. "The overwhelming feedback from our players is that they want to play WTT and are comfortable in doing so in a safe environment, which is our number one priority. West Virginia has among the nation's fewest cases of COVID-19 and I'm grateful to The Greenbrier, the city of White Sulphur Springs, and Dr. Jill Justice for being so welcoming and allowing World TeamTennis to play on in 2020."
"We're thrilled to welcome World TeamTennis to West Virginia and The Greenbrier," said Dr. Jill Justice, President, The Greenbrier. "America's Resort has a rich history with professional tennis, and we're excited to write another chapter and add to the storied history of World TeamTennis."
World TeamTennis will follow the direction of local and state government officials in West Virginia while adhering to all health and safety protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and take every precaution to ensure the safety of its players, coaches and essential staff in executing the operation of its matches. WTT will engage with its teams and league and venue personnel in conducting all necessary testing and screening for COVID-19, as well as outfitting all parties with the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to conduct its 2020 season matches while preserving the health and safety of everyone at The Greenbrier over the three-week season.
In 2020, WTT is increasing its prize money to a record $5 million and an added $1,000,000 awarded in WTT Playoffs compensation, including a $500,000 bonus to the team hoisting the King Trophy on Aug. 2.
WTT introduced professional team tennis in 1974, with Billie Jean King serving ng as its co-founder. WTT is one of five active U.S. pro sports leagues which has been in operation for over 40 years, along with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. For more information on World TeamTennis, please visit WTT.com.
A Tough Slog to a Home Title for @AshBarty at @BrisbaneTennis; 2020 @WTA Brisbane International Preview, Predictions
Posted in: Australian Open, Brisbane, WTA.	Tagged: 2020 WTA Tour, Ash Barty, australian open, Australian Tennis, Brisbane International, Elena Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova, madison keys, Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin.	Leave a comment
Steve Fogleman, Tennis Atlantic
There's no place like home 🥰 pic.twitter.com/o9mCiRcCN9
— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) January 4, 2020
If it's the Coco and Serena show in Auckland, then the Brisbane International is the home of the Grupo Del Muerto. And indeed, there's no place like home…unless you're seeded in the Group of Death.
Top seed and world #1 Ash Barty hoped to take a bit of a victory lap down under and win a big home country tournament or two before the Australian Open, but the gods of the draw decided to have a little fun with her at the Brisbane International, a premier-level WTA tour event. In order for Barty to get out of her quarter, she'll need to get by Maria Sharapova, Sloane Stephens, Petra Kvitova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
After Barty's bye, she'll face a very wild card in Maria Sharapova, provided Sharapova dispatches a qualifier. Barty beat Sharapova in their one and only meeting at the Western & Southern Open last summer, but you truly never know which Sharapova will show. I'll give Barty the edge and send her on to the third round against Sloane Stephens, who beat the Australian in their only meeting at the 2017 US Open. Barty's quest for a title to open 2020 will likely end with a Stephens victory in the quarterfinals.
(Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP)
4 seed Elena Svitolina's quarter is also dangerous, with Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Donna Vekic and Danielle Collins waiting in the wings. The Ukrainian will get past the plucky Danielle Collins in the opening round and Donna Vekic in the second before being eliminated by an in-form Madison Keys, who must defeat Kerber to get there.
Naomi Osaka, 2018 Citi Open (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)
Naomi Osaka, a year wiser, is used to getting her own quarter these days and what to do with such a blessing. In a trip-up match with Sakkari, she should prevail before facing another major test in Sonia Kenin. It's a test she should also pass before dispatching Kiki Bertens in the quarterfinals.
Karolina Pliskova has become more of a sure thing over the last year, a compliment to her maturity as a player. As such, I believe she'll use that bye and a second round match against an Australian wild card to polish her early-season form. She'll need the tune-up before beating Naomi Osaka in 3 sets to advance to the final against Madison Keys. In three sets, I'll predict it's Pliskova who begins 2020 with the Brisbane title.
Will Auckland Become @CocoGauff Land? 2020 @WTA @ASB_Classic Auckland Preview, Predictions
Posted in: Auckland, Australian Open, WTA.	Tagged: 2020 WTA Tour, Amanda Anisimova, ASB Classic, australian open, Australian Tennis, caroline wozniacki, Coco Gauff, serena williams, Sofia Kenin, Svetlana Kuznetsova, WTA Auckland.	Leave a comment
Or will it be like old times again with Serena and Wozniacki meeting in the final?
The 2020 Coco Gauff tour is almost underway. The ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand is stacked with the aforementioned former grand slam champions and a dose of the youth movement. Not too shabby for a WTA International level event.
Gauff, who is amazingly still 15 years old, looks to play her first pro match down under. It's hard to believe that she made her pro debut just last year in Miami before shocking the world with stellar play at Wimbledon and the US Open. Down Under has been patiently waiting for a chance to join her carnival of tennis enthusiasm. Gauff will have a tough opening round match against 21-year-old Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova, where she's a favored -149, and assuming Gauff prevails, she'll likely face Serena Williams in Round 2.
Svetlana Kuznetsova (Photo: (C) 2014 Chris Levy @tennis_shots for TennisEastCoast.com)
Or will she? Outside of the American teen sensation, all the buzz is about the first-round match between grand slam champs with a lot of mutual history. Serena Williams and Sveta Kuznetsova have met 13 times, and although Serena holds a 10-3 edge on the 2004 US Open champ, anyone who follows women's tennis knows that Kuznetsova can beat anyone when she's in form. With Serena at -400 in the match, this could be a nice upset pick.
Amanda Anisimova's quarter co-stars Caroline Garcia, who should meet in the quarterfinals with Anisimova advancing to a semifinal against Serena Williams. Garcia's game hasn't inspired a lot of confidence lately, and she's even money against Taylor Townsend in the opening round. I'm going to stand by Garcia, though, as she'd only need to beat the winner of Flipkens-Bouchard to reach the quarters.
Julia Goerges is the 4 seed and her quarter is shared by 5th seeded Caroline Wozniacki. It's highly likely that they'll meet in the quarterfinals here, a rematch of last year's Auckland final. I expect Wozniacki to fight right up through her supposed final grand slam in Melbourne Park to go out with a bang and I'd take her to advance to a semifinal and to contest Serena Williams in the final.
Petra Martic doesn't get any respect as a top 20 player, as least not from me yet. I've been watching her fail to qualify or get knocked out of the first round of too many tournaments to mention. And her quarter is full of spoilers, like Alize Cornet, Bec Peterson, Alison Van Uytvanck and American Cici Bellis. I see Bellis surprising Martic in the quarterfinals before falling to Wozniacki in the semis. That said, the oddsmakers have installed Martic as a -149 favorite in her opener against Van Uytvanck. You'd expect a little more confidence in a 2 seed.
The fans in Auckland should get a two-fer, as they'll see a Serena Williams-Coco Gauff battle, but they should also be so fortunate as to be gifted a blast from the past final, with Serena Williams besting Caroline Wozniacki to win her first tour title of any kind since the memorable 2017 Australian Open.
World #12 American Phenom @SofiaKenin Booked for 2020 @Volvo CarOpen
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA.	Tagged: 2020 Volvo Car Open, charleston, Garbine Muguruza, madison keys, Sofia Kenin, Sonia Kenin, WTA Premier, Zhuhai.	Leave a comment
WORLD NO. 12 AMERICAN PHENOM SOFIA KENIN BOOKED FOR 2020 VOLVO CAR OPEN
Kenin has won three singles titles and two doubles titles during the 2019 season
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – World No. 12 Sofia Kenin has entered the player field for the 2020 Volvo Car Open, happening April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The 20-year-old American will be joined in Charleston by reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, 2019 Volvo Car Open champion Madison Keys and two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, among other top WTA tennis players.
Kenin has found significant success during her 2019 season, winning her first ever career WTA singles and WTA doubles titles. In total, she captured singles titles in Hobart, Mallorca and Guangzhou. She also won the doubles titles in Auckland and Beijing.
"Sofia climbed the junior rankings and has now solidified herself as a true contender and top player in the tennis world," said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. "Our fans have the opportunity to cheer on the future generation of tennis, and Sofia's fourth appearance in our field solidifies our commitment to always finding and attracting rising stars."
Outside of Kenin's titles this season, she also appeared in the finals in Acapulco and the semifinals in Toronto and Cincinnati. She defeated Ashleigh Barty in Toronto and Naomi Osaka in Cincinnati, both of whom were ranked World No. 1 at the time. Additionally, she defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the French Open to reach her best Grand Slam result to date.
Sofia Kenin 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
As a result of her success this season, Kenin qualified for the 2019 Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.
"I have had a really amazing season and will be looking to build upon it in 2020," said Kenin. "I have always enjoyed my time in Charleston at the Volvo Car Open and am hoping to go even further in the tournament next year."
The 2020 Volvo Car Open will be Kenin's fourth time competing in the tournament's main draw.
The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women's-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.
Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament's Ace Club.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
—A. Alpino, VCO
Represent: @FilaTennis Signs American @SonyaKenin
Posted by Admin on November 6, 2018
Posted in: US Open, USTA, WTA.	Tagged: 2018, Apparel, australian open, Fila Tennis, Sofia Kenin, Sonya Kenin, Sponsorship, usta, Women's Tennis Association.	Leave a comment
(FILA Global) – FILA announced today that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with American tennis player Sofia Kenin. Kenin will join the company's roster of endorsed WTA and ATP World Tour players who wear the FILA® brand on-court.
"Sofia is an incredible young talent who has a bright future ahead of her in the sport," said Gene Yoon, Global Chairman at FILA. "After an impressive 2018 season, she is poised to become one of the next rising stars in women's tennis. We are thrilled to welcome her to the FILA family and support her on her tennis journey moving forward."
Kenin, 19, is currently the No. 52 ranked WTA singles player. She was formerly a Junior US Open Finalist and the winner of the USTA Girls' 18's National Championships. Since turning pro in 2017, Kenin has won four ITF titles and reached an additional four finals. This season she had two wins against Top 10 opponents, and her ranking improved nearly 150 spots. In addition, this week she will make her first appearance on the US Fed Cup team as they compete against the Czech Republic for the title.
"It's an honor to be a part of such an iconic brand that has a long, rich history of partnering with some of the best tennis players in the world," said Kenin. "I'm excited for the opportunity to wear FILA and to have the brand's support, both on and off the court, as I continue my career."
—M. Van Tuinen
Sonya Kenin, Other Top Young American Women's Players to Play in Central Coast Pro Tennis Open
Posted in: ATP, USTA Pro Circuit, WTA.	Tagged: 2017, Central Coast Pro Tennis Open, Louisa Chirico, Sofia Kenin, Sonya Kenin, Templeton Tennis Ranch, usta pro circuit.	Leave a comment
Photo: Tournament
Templeton Tennis Ranch to Host First USTA Pro Circuit Tournament With $60,000 Prize Money and Valuable WTA Ranking Points Up For Grabs
TEMPLETON, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2017) – Young Americans Sonya Kenin and Louisa Chirico will headline a strong field of up-and-coming professional women's tennis players when the first annual Central Coast Pro Tennis Open takes place at Templeton Tennis Ranch Sept. 24-Oct. 1.
The Central Coast Pro Tennis Open, a USTA women's $60,000 Pro Circuit event, gives young promising WTA Tour players a chance to earn valuable ranking points. Players ranked from No. 97 to No. 225 will compete in a 32-player singles main draw, and a 16-team doubles event will also be contested.
Kenin, 18, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., recently turned heads at the US Open after beating Americans Lauren Davis and Sachia Vickery to advance to the third round. Playing a night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Kenin fell to Maria Sharapova. She is ranked No. 112 in the world and expected to be seeded No. 2 at Templeton.
Currently ranked just outside the world top 150, Chirico has won three ITF singles and two doubles titles during her career. The 21-year-old from Morristown, N.J., is coached by the USTA's Jay Gooding. Last October, Chirico reached career-high No. 58 world rankings.
Other top players include Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic (No. 106), Francoise Abanda (No. 122), and Great Britain's Naomi Broady (No. 135).
Vickery, and former NCAA singles champions Jamie Loeb (Univ. of North Carolina, 2015) are also entered in the main draw, as are former college standouts Irina Falconi (Georgia Tech) and Danielle Lao (USC).
Another player to watch is 22-year-old Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia. Currently ranked No. 164 in the world, Schmiedlova has won 11 ITF singles and two WTA singles titles during her career. She reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 26 in the world in 2015, but has been beset by injuries.
In qualifying, Southern California juniors Ashley Kratzer and Claire Liu will compete. Newport Beach's Kratzer won the USTA Hardcourt 18s Nationals in San Diego and played in the main draw of the US Open. Liu, from Thousand Oaks, won the Junior Girls' Wimbledon title.
"This elite group of athletes, fresh off the courts at Arthur Ashe stadium at the US Open, are coming to Templeton Tennis Ranch to show us what world class talent looks like, up close and personal," Templeton Tennis Ranch Director of Tennis Scott Cleere said. "The Central Coast Pro Tennis Open will alter the course of tennis in our area. We are so excited to be hosting this event and bringing this experience to tennis players, fans and our local communities. If you appreciate the finer things in life, you must attend. It will not disappoint."
Qualifying begins Sunday, the 24th, and concludes on Tuesday, when main draw play also begins. Sunday will feature a free Kids Play Day starting at 5 p.m. A Pro-Am will take place Tuesday with Breast Cancer Awareness Day and a BBQ on Friday, the 29th, with the Doubles semi-finals matches beginning at 6 p.m. The doubles final will be Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m., followed by the singles final. In total 74 matches will be played over eight days.
Admission to watch the exciting pro tennis is free during the week's early rounds. On Friday night, Saturday and Sunday for the semifinals and finals, tickets are just $10, or fans can purchase a three-day pass for $25. Children 12 and under are free.
Qualifiers Fill Out Main Draw @VolvoCarOpen Field of 56
Posted by Admin on April 2, 2017
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA.	Tagged: 2017, Aleksandra Krunic, Asia Muhammad, charleston, grace min, Sofia Kenin, Veronica Cepede Royg, Volvo Car Open, Womens Tennis, WTA Qualifying.	Leave a comment
Aleksandra Krunic (TennisAtlantic.com)
Asia Muhammad (TennisAtlantic,com)
April 2–Two Americans joined the main draw today and six other qualifiers will compete for the Volvo Car Open title in Charleston, South Carolina. Asia Muhammad and Sofia Kenin won in straight sets, but the most compelling matches today had nothing to do with Americans. Veronica Cepede Royg, Aleksandra Krunic and Ana Bogdan all posted comeback wins after dropping the opening set against a lower-ranked player. As for Bogdan, her opponent was the returning Alexandra Dulgheru, so it was even more difficult. Cepede Royg played the longest match of the weekend in a 2:42 nailbiter, 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-4, while Krunic played the second longest match (2:24) and prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Veronica Cepede Royg Photobomb (TennisAtlantic.com)
It's the same thing I see every time: lower-ranked players only have a small hope of rolling through the match without awakening the beast on the other side of the net, usually without success.
Kenin's straight sets victories over Taylor Townsend yesterday was no small feat. Today, she booked a trip to the 56 with straights over Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro. I'm very interested in her first round match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Qualifiers compete all weekend to qualify, so you must keep them playing continuously or they are apt to nap for days. Tomorrow, lucky loser Ons Jabeur gets Marina Erakovic, Ana Bogdan meets up with Jelena Ostapenko, Silvia Soler Espinosa plays Kristina Kucova, Anastasia Rodionova draws Ying-Ying Duan, Fanny Stollar and Asia Muhammad face each other, and lucky Veronica Cepede Royg meets hometown fave Shelby Rogers. The only qualifiers to get the day off are Sofia Kenin and Aleksandra Krunic. Rest up!