In the heart of Rome’s Foro Italico, where clay courts shimmer under the Mediterranean sun, Aryna Sabalenka is on a mission. The world No. 1, a Belarusian powerhouse with three Grand Slam titles, is chasing not just the 2025 Italian Open crown but also redemption. Her third-round clash against American Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open champion, is more than a match—it’s a chance to settle a score from two years ago when Kenin stunned her in straight sets at this very tournament. As Sabalenka prepares for this high-stakes showdown, her hunger for revenge is palpable, tempered by respect for an opponent she calls “tricky.”
Sabalenka’s journey to this moment has been a masterclass in resilience. Fresh off a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in just over an hour, she’s in scintillating form. The match, a display of her signature swashbuckling groundstrokes, saw her overpower Potapova with precision and pace. “I’m super happy with the way I played today,” Sabalenka said after the win, her confidence soaring as she eyes a maiden Rome title. Her 2025 season has been a tour de force, with 33 match wins—the most on the WTA Tour—and titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. Yet, the memory of her 2023 loss to Kenin lingers. “I have a great chance to take a revenge here in Rome against her,” she told reporters, her tone blending determination with excitement.
Kenin, ranked No. 31, is no stranger to defying odds. The 26-year-old’s aggressive, flat groundstrokes and 74% service game win rate on clay make her a formidable foe. Her 2023 upset over Sabalenka, then the No. 2 seed, was a career highlight, showcasing her ability to disrupt even the game’s elite. “She’s a great player, she’s tricky,” Sabalenka acknowledged, noting Kenin’s unpredictability. “Sometimes she goes out and plays incredible tennis. Sometimes it doesn’t work. So you never know what to expect.” Kenin’s 2025 clay campaign kicked off with a runner-up finish in Charleston, and her recent straight-sets win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6-3, 6-0) signals she’s hitting her stride. For Sabalenka, the challenge is clear: she must bring her A-game to counter Kenin’s quick-strike shots and relentless baseline play.
The stakes are high. A victory would propel Sabalenka into the fourth round against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, a rematch of their thrilling Madrid quarterfinal, which Sabalenka won in two tiebreaks. A loss, however, could dent her momentum as she aims to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the Miami-Madrid-Rome trifecta. Sabalenka’s 3-1 head-to-head edge over Kenin offers some comfort, but their sole clay-court encounter tilts in Kenin’s favor. “It’s going to be a great match, and I’m looking forward,” Sabalenka said, her anticipation evident.
Beyond the court, Sabalenka’s Roman adventure has been flavored with charm. She opted for an 11 a.m. match slot against Potapova, not for tactical reasons but to savor an evening of pasta and pizza. “I want to go to dinner,” she quipped, revealing a playful side that endears her to fans. Her love for Italian cuisine, evident in her Instagram posts captioned “Rome, I missed you!!,” complements her fierce on-court persona. A recent lighthearted moment—failing hilariously at a stopwatch challenge where she stopped the clock at 00:00:81 seconds—showed her human side, drawing laughs and cheers.
As Sabalenka steps onto Centre Court, the echoes of 2023 fuel her fire. Her improved endurance and rally tolerance, honed over years, make her a clay-court force, but Kenin’s unpredictability looms large. The Foro Italico crowd, known for its passion, will witness a battle of wills—Sabalenka’s raw power against Kenin’s cunning aggression. With the French Open on the horizon, this match could define Sabalenka’s clay season. Will she exact revenge and march toward the title, or will Kenin conjure another Roman upset? One thing is certain: Sabalenka is ready to fight, and Rome is her battleground.
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