NEW YORK—Sofia Kenin dreams of living on Manhattan's Upper East Side someday.
These days, Kenin looks right at home cleaning up her neighborhood in the US Open draw.
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The 20th-seeded Kenin charged through 13 of the final 16 games dispatching Laura Siegemund, 7-6 (4), 6-0, to reach the US Open third round for the third straight year.
Kenin scored her 26th hard court win of the season—second best on the WTA Tour—setting up an all-American blockbuster rematch with Madison Keys.
Keys conquered Kenin, 7-5, 6-4, in the Cincinnati semifinals two weeks ago en route to the Western & Southern Open championship. Because her second-round match was cancelled due to rain yesterday, Kenin will be right back at it vs. Keys tomorrow.
"It was obviously a tough match against Madison," Kenin said. "She's playing well. I felt like a few opportunities didn't go my way there. I had a few breakpoints, I didn't close it out. Overall it was a good match in Cincinnati, so hopefully I can just take my opportunities tomorrow."
New York fans have made the 20-year-old from Pembroke Pines, Florida feel right at home as she plays for her second Grand Slam fourth round of the season following her Roland Garros round of 16 appearance.
"The crowd (helped) I mean, today, for sure," Kenin said. "It was really helpful. There was this guy that just kept screaming my name and saying, Come on. Hit the return. Take this break. I'm, like, Okay, I'm trying.
"The crowd obviously helped me out and really got me through today, and the first set especially. Yeah, it's nowhere else I get this feeling. I'm playing all over the world. Of course I'm going to have the crowd for me, but I feel like here especially, I'm walking on court and everyone is cheering for me. It's a really great feeling to feel."
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open