ABU DHABI: Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin was eliminated from the season-opening Abu Dhabi Open in the quarterfinals on Monday after a three-set loss to Maria Sakkari.
Kenin won the opening set but faded as ninth-seeded Sakkari won 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. It was only Kenin’s third loss in 14 career tour quarterfinal matches.
The Greek player hit nine aces against none for Kenin and 23 winners to the American’s eight.
Sakkari’s next opponent is fourth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, who made it 13 tour wins in a row by beating Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 for a place in the semifinals.
Sabalenka finished last season with titles at the Ostrava and Linz indoor tournaments and has started 2021 with four wins in Abu Dhabi. Sabalenka has won three of the four matches she has played against Sakkari, all of them on hard courts.
Tiafoe advances at Delray Beach Open
Frances Tiafoe gained momentum Sunday in his bid for another Delray Beach Open title by winning a seesaw match against fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Tiafoe won his first ATP Tour title as a 20-year-old wild card at Delray Beach in 2018. His career record is 9-2 in the tournament and 62-93 elsewhere on the ATP Tour.
“I love playing here,” Tiafoe said. “I love South Florida. It’s a good vibe.”
Cameron Norrie of Britain beat No. 3-seeded Adrian Mannarino of France, 6-2, 7-5, and on Monday will face Tiafoe.
“He chopped me up pretty good the other day in practice,” Norrie said.
“He’s playing great — he is moving well and serving big, so it’s going to be really tough. But I’m playing well too.”
No. 4-seeded Hubert Hurkacz of Poland also reached the quarterfinals, beating Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia, 6-2, 6-2.
Hurkacz will next face qualifier Roberto Quiroz of Ecuador, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, 6-2, 6-4.
Tiafoe, seeded eighth, won the final four games of the first set and dominated the final set. He lost only eight points on his first serve against Fratangelo.
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Tiafoe said. “He’s a tough opponent. It’s never easy playing somebody you like.”
