Tearful Kenin sets sights on Roland Garros after US Open exit

Sofia Kenin of the United States returns a volley during her Women’s Singles third round match against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on Day Six of the 2020 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Second seed Sofia Kenin said she would have a good cry after crashing out of the US Open on Monday and then start looking forward to Roland Garros.

Kenin, winner of the 2020 Australian Open, was bundled out of the last 16 at Flushing Meadows in straight sets by Elise Mertens of Belgium.

Kenin, the highest-seeded player left in the tournament, lost 6-3, 6-3, in just 1hr 14 mins, leaving her pretty upset.

“I cried after already. Just trying to hold it back right now. Not happy about that match,” she told reporters.

“Tonight is not going to be such a great night because obviously I’m pretty bummed about what happened.

“I hate losing,” Kenin added.

She said she would dust herself down, though, and prepare for the clay court season.

“I’m heading over to Rome. Possibly Strasbourg, I’m not sure, but for sure Paris.

“I love Roland Garros a lot. I had a really great one last year. I feel like after that things just started clicking for me. I started playing better. I found my great tennis.

“I love Paris for starters. I’m super excited to be there. Hopefully, I can do well there,” she added.

Mertens, the 16th seed, will now play Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the quarter-finals.

Kenin, who had not lost a set in her first three rounds, never got her service game together against Mertens.

The 21-year-old Moscow-born player won only 56 percent of first serve points compared to 75 percent for Mertens, coughing up three double faults.

Mertens, ranked 18th in the world, smashed eight aces, while Kenin failed to muster any.

“I obviously did not bring my game that I wanted to bring against a player like her,” said Kenin.

“You have to have your game, not make that many mistakes like I did.”

Unseeded Azarenka came from a set down to oust 20th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in 2hr 30min.