In a thrilling display of grit and power, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, fought back from a set down to defeat American Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the third round of the 2025 Italian Open on May 11, securing her place in the round of 16 at Rome’s Foro Italico. The two-hour, 13-minute battle on Centre Court not only showcased Sabalenka’s relentless determination but also improved her remarkable record of overcoming first-set deficits, a statistic that underscores her mental toughness and dominance on the WTA Tour. As she chases her first Rome title, the Belarusian’s victory over the former Australian Open champion sets up a tantalizing fourth-round clash with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, further solidifying her status as a formidable force on clay.
The match against Kenin was a test of Sabalenka’s resilience. Kenin, ranked No. 31, came out firing, breaking Sabalenka’s serve three consecutive times in the first set to claim it 6-3. Sabalenka struggled with her first serve, winning just 41% of those points, and her backhand misfires drew visible frustration, as she even appeared to question the court surface. “I was going really tough on myself,” Sabalenka admitted in her on-court interview, reflecting on her early struggles. “It was a tough match—she played incredible tennis in the first set.” Yet, the three-time Grand Slam champion regrouped, unleashing her signature power in the second set, breaking Kenin three times to level the score. The deciding set featured an epic game with 10 deuces, where Sabalenka’s fighting spirit shone, ultimately clinching the 6-3 scoreline with six of 23 break points converted.
This victory marked Sabalenka’s ninth win after losing the first set since 2024, the most at WTA 1000 events, enhancing an already outstanding statistic. Her 33rd win of 2025 leads the WTA Tour, a testament to her consistency, with titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid already under her belt. The 27-year-old’s clay-court prowess was evident in her 10-1 record on the surface this season, her only loss coming against Jelena Ostapenko in the Stuttgart final. “It was a great fight and super happy to get this match,” Sabalenka said, her relief palpable after overcoming Kenin’s challenge. The match also saw her generate 23 break points, the second-highest in her career at the Tour level, only surpassed by 22 against Samantha Stosur in 2019.
Sabalenka’s path to the third round was paved with dominance, as she dispatched Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour after receiving a first-round bye. Her clash with Kenin, however, was a rematch of their 2023 Rome encounter, where Kenin won in straight sets, adding a layer of redemption to Sabalenka’s triumph. The Belarusian now holds a 3-1 head-to-head lead over Kenin, having won all three hardcourt meetings but splitting their clay-court battles. Her ability to adapt, incorporating drop shots and net play alongside her ferocious groundstrokes, has made her a favorite in Rome, especially after Iga Swiatek’s shock third-round exit to Danielle Collins.
The context of Sabalenka’s season adds weight to her Rome campaign. Fresh off her Madrid Open title, where she defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets, Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the Miami, Madrid, and Rome WTA 1000 titles in the same year. Her 13th consecutive WTA 1000 win and fourth Rome round of 16 appearance highlight her consistency, with her only Rome final coming in 2024, a loss to Swiatek. Against Kostyuk, whom she leads 3-0, including a two-tiebreak win in Madrid’s 2025 quarter-finals, Sabalenka is favored, with a 76% win probability according to predictive models. “I’m just trying to put as much pressure on her serve as possible,” Sabalenka noted, a strategy that proved effective against Kenin and will likely define her approach moving forward.
Sabalenka’s journey in Rome is not without challenges. Potential semi-final matchups against Gauff or rising star Mirra Andreeva loom, while a final against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini or a resurgent Swiatek remains possible. Yet, her mental strength, showcased in saving three match points against Elina Svitolina in 2024’s Rome quarter-finals, and her 5-5 head-to-head tie with Gauff make her a formidable contender. As Rome buzzes with anticipation, Sabalenka’s blend of power, humor—evident in her playful stopwatch blunder at the tournament’s start—and unyielding fight positions her as the player to beat, with the tennis world eagerly watching her pursuit of history.
Leave a Reply