After securing her first victory on the top level of the WTA Tour once again, Sofia Kenin will aim to make it two in a row against Ons Jabeur at the 2024 Italian Open in Rome.
It’s been a challenging year for Kenin, with her performance leaving both herself and others perplexed. She clinched her first match in Rome, marking her first win on the WTA Tour since January.
Prior to that victory, she had endured nearly 10 consecutive losses, although she excelled in doubles. The turnaround remains unexplained, but now she has the opportunity to secure her second singles win against Jabeur.
Jabeur, on the other hand, has had a similarly perplexing year but has generally performed better than the American. As a former finalist, she enters her first match at this year’s event as the favorite.
Head-to-head:
Despite being the favorite, the competitive nature of this matchup is evident, with Kenin dominating their head-to-head encounters so far. They have faced each other seven times, with Kenin emerging victorious in 5 of those matches, all during periods when Kenin exhibited stronger form and belief in her game.
Their most recent encounter dates back to 2021, highlighting the evolution in Jabeur’s game since then, contrasting with Kenin’s stagnation. The consensus now leans towards the 29-year-old as the more consistent player, emphasizing her advantage.
| Sofia Kenin | Ons Jabeur | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | H2H | 2 |
| 58 | Rank | 9 |
| 25 | Age | 29 |
| 3-11 | 2024 W/L | 6-8 |
| 264-178 | Career W/L | 435-240 |
Prediction:
Anticipating a strong performance from Kenin, but uncertain about her ability to overcome Jabeur. The Tunisian showcased a decent level last week in Madrid, likely to continue her form in Rome, particularly suited to clay courts.
Prediction: Ons Jabeur to win in three sets.
