For the first time since this tournament’s inception, Anastasija Sevastova will not appear in the final. No doubt a disappointment for the Latvian. Instead, Sofia Kenin moved into her third final of 2019. And, the number one seed, Angelique Kerber, was bounced thanks to one of the tour’s hottest players, Belinda Bencic.
In the 2019 edition of the Mallorca Open are two newcomers – Sofia Kenin taking on Belinda Bencic. Who’ll lift the trophy at the end?
Head to head: first meeting
Sofia Kenin
Sofia Kenin has become a threat in any tournament. Staring with the title in Hobart, the American has steadily built a success pattern. The culmination of her hard work and stellar play came in Paris, when the 20-year-old bounced Serena Williams in the French Open Round of 32 – a moment every bit as big as winning a title.
Kenin’s Mallorca Open run hasn’t been altogether straightforward. It was an uncomplicated start with a 6-2 6-3 win over Kirsten Flipkens. The second round was no threat to the plucky American as she was up 6-2 2-0 before Ons Jabeur retired on injury. The quarterfinal was Kenin’s first big test. The #4 seed Elise Mertens dominated claiming the first set 6-1. Yet, Kenin stormed back, taking the next two sets 6-1 6-3.
The number seven seed struggled in the semifinal against Anastasija Sevastova. Up a set and a break, nerves appeared to stymie Kenin. Sevastova fired off four games in a row to force a decider. Exhibiting a maturity beyond her years, Kenin broke twice in the decider and never looked back.
Grass seems to be a great surface for Kenin. Her ability to claim the baseline, refusing to be pushed back allows her aggressive style to thwart her opponents. Hammering shots to the corners, taking the ball on the rise and effectively changing direction puts Kenin in control. The Kenin serve may prove the only weakness in this rising star’s game. And, that will be a required weapon in pursuit of the title.
Belinda Bencic
Clearly one of the hottest players on the WTA tour, Belinda Bencic reached her spot in the finals by taking out the number one seed, Angelique Kerber. After a dismal start, losing the first set 6-2, Bencic claimed a break to lead the second set. Yet, serving out the set at 5-3, Bencic gave up her hard-fought break thanks to a double fault. Not what you want at this stage in the match. Mental toughness allowed Bencic to put that behind her. Taking a page from the Kerber playbook, Bencic retrieved nearly every ball forcing Kerber’s errors. After Bencic broke Kerber in the decider, she was able to hold her service games to bounce Kerber for a spot in the finals.
The number three seed easily mixes power and variety for a complex game. Undaunted by opponents’ power, the Swiss can return that with interest. That will be a necessary strength against Kenin’s power. Bencic has a solid serve. And, the 22-year-old wins 60% of her second serves. It’s really the recurring double faults which lead to the Bencic service breaks.
The Way to the Win
For Kenin to claim her second title of 2019 and of her career, the nerves need to kept in check. As we saw in her match against Sevastova, the relative inexperience in these late stages gave way to nervy moments. What should have been decided in two sets, Kenin let slip away. Bencic will exploit any lack of focus or sloppy play.
For Bencic to win her second title of 2019 and her fourth overall, she needs to clean up those double faults. In fact, the Bencic serve will need to be spot on in the final. The Swiss is facing an aggressive returner who will punish any service deficiency.
Prediction
Two young and feisty competitors will make for a fun match. Since the French Open, Kenin has been playing lights out tennis. Bencic is one of the tour’s hottest players. Both can find ways to finish points on their terms. But, I believe it’s Kenin’s lack of experience at this big of a moment which will shift the match in Bencic’s favor.
Bencic in three
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