Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka have been probably the most prominent WTA players of the year. The new American sensation hit the headlines after her stupendous and surprising run at the Australian Open, where she won her maiden slam.
Some had the impression that the world no.4 was a 1 slam wonder. However, Sofia had another unexpected run at the French Open soon after she couldn’t even win a game against Vika Azarenka in Rome where she lost 6-0 6-0. The American sensation reached the final at the French Open before losing in straight sets to Iga Swiatek.
Among Sofia’s other interesting runs, she also won the title in Lyon and she reached the 4th round at the US Open.
What about Naomi Osaka?
Naomi Osaka had a rather interesting season. Actually, her 2020 was quite anonymous before the tours were back after the global lockdown. Before that moment, Naomi played just 2 tournaments: she reached the semifinals in Brisbane and just the 3rd round at the Australian Open.
However, the Japanese sensation inspired the tennis world and far beyond it during her 3 weeks in New York, where she reached the final at the Western & Southern Open and she conquered the American slam. Naomi went mainstream for her activism and support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The world no.3 refused to play the semifinal of the Premier event in New York in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake. That forced both the WTA and the ATP semifinals of the Western & Southern Open to be postponed of 1 day. During the US Open, Naomi had the courageous and brilliant idea of taking the court with different face masks carrying the names of 7 victims of racism before and after her matches.
While Sofia’s results were arguably better than Naomi’s, Osaka probably gave more visibility of the WTA tour on the mainstream media.
Sofia Kenin in 2020
Currently ranked no.4 (career-high), the American played her last encounter on the 10th of October when she surrendered to Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-1 in the final of the French Open (draw).
At present, during this year Sofia has managed to achieve a compiled 24-9 match record. Kenin conquered 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Lyon. Sofia reached the final at the French Open.
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Currently the world no.3, Naomi played her last match on the 12th of September when she defeated Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
Presently, during this year Naomi has achieved 16-3 match record. The Japanese conquered 1 title at the U.S. Open. The Japanese reached the final in New York.
Sofia Kenin and Naomi Osaka clashed against each other 3 times. Their current record is 2-1 for Osaka. Previously, the last time they squared off, Naomi Osaka won 6-73 6-3 6-1 in the 2nd round in Brisbane (Brisbane International) on the 9th of January 2020.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
