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Match details
Fixture: Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open
Round: First round (Round of 128)
Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $8,800,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin preview
Americans Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin will clash at the BNP Paribas Open in a blockbuster first-round face-off between two former Grand Slam champions.
Stephens, winner of the US Open in 2017, made a disastrous start to the 2023 season, losing her first three matches. The former World No. 3 finally opened her account at the WTA 250 event in Merida, Mexico in February, where she went on to make the quarterfinals.
Stephens backed it up with yet another run to the last eight the very next week in Monterrey. Buoyed by two consecutive quarterfinal showings, the 29-year-old will now hope to make an impact at Indian Wells.
Following a fair share of injuries, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin is looking to work her way back into the top echelons of the sport.
The 24-year-old lost to eventual champion Coco Gauff in the second round at Auckland in her opening tournament of the year. Kenin then made a dash to the semifinals in Hobart for her best performance of the season till date.
The former World No. 4, however, has gone off the boil since then. Kenin managed to record just a solitary win in her next four tournaments and will be arriving in Indian Wells low on confidence.
Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin head-to-head
Stephens has a 1-0 lead in her head-to-head with Kenin. The former US Open champion came through 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 in a grueling battle in Toronto last year.
Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin prediction
Considering her recent form and her past experience of beating Kenin, Stephens is expected to come through this contest.
Stephens is known for her pace and her ability to smoothly transition from defense to offense. Although the World No. 48 has been striking the ball well over the last few weeks, she is prone to mid-match collapses.
Kenin is the kind of player who will look to put pressure on her with her playing style. Not only does the younger American have excellent defensive skills, she is also pretty adept at breaking down her opponents' rhythm with an array of slices and dropshots.
If Stephens can't impose her game right from the start, she could be in danger. However, given Kenin's struggles in her most recent tournaments, the World No. 170 isn't likely to hold out for much longer.
Pick: Stephens to win in three sets.
