Sofia Kenin took the 2023 Italian Open by storm on Thursday, knocking out reigning Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4), 6-2 in the second round. The tennis world was shocked and awed by the result, with some saying that the American has finally “woken up” after seeing all the “Big 3” talk.Kenin, a former World No. 4, has slipped to No. 134 in the WTA rankings due to illness and injuries. However, she showed up as her former self to beat the in-form Sabalenka in straight sets and make it to the third round of the WTA 1000 event. This is Sofia Kenin’s first victory over a top 10 player since beating Ashleigh Barty en route to her only Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open.Sabalenka struggled with her serve early in the first set but later found her rhythm to level at 4-4. At 5-5 Kenin broke her opponent’s serve but couldn’t serve out the set, resulting in a tiebreak that she won 7-4. In the second set, the American jumped to a 4-2 lead and held firm to close it out 6-2.The tennis world was blown away by Sofia Kenin’s performance and flocked to Twitter to express their feelings about the result. One fan said it was a “massive win," while another opined the American had earlier been “lost at sea.”“That's one great big massive win for Kenin. Did not have Sabs losing at all. Sonya saw the "big 3" talk and finally woke up,” one tweet read.“Sofia Kenin was lost at sea for quite a long time. The major champion, seemingly out of nowhere, rediscovered a winning formula against the 2023 Australian Open winner. Quite a plot twist in Italy,” said another.Danny | British Flop enjoyer@EmmagoatcanuThat's one great big massive win for Kenin. Did not have Sabs losing at all Sonya saw the "big 3" talk and finally woke up61That's one great big massive win for Kenin. Did not have Sabs losing at all 😭Sonya saw the "big 3" talk and finally woke upMatt Zemek@mzemekSofia Kenin was lost at sea for quite a long time.The major champion, seemingly out of nowhere, rediscovered a winning formula against the 2023 Australian Open winner.Quite a plot twist in Italy.91Sofia Kenin was lost at sea for quite a long time.The major champion, seemingly out of nowhere, rediscovered a winning formula against the 2023 Australian Open winner.Quite a plot twist in Italy.One fan expressed that seeing the American back in form was great. Still another commented that Kenin's “never say die” attitude should be studied by all athletes.Cracked Racquets ®@CrackedRacquetsWow Sofia Kenin! Gets her first top 10 win in three years over Sabalenka. Great to see her getting back to form21Wow Sofia Kenin! Gets her first top 10 win in three years over Sabalenka. Great to see her getting back to formThe Tennis Letter@TheTennisLetterSofia Kenin beats Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4) 6-2 in RomeYou simply have to love Sofia Kenin. Her never say die attitude should be studied by every athlete. This girl never knows when she’s beat. 1st top 10 win since 2020 (Ash Barty)Into R313815Sofia Kenin beats Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4) 6-2 in RomeYou simply have to love Sofia Kenin. Her never say die attitude should be studied by every athlete. This girl never knows when she’s beat. ✅1st top 10 win since 2020 (Ash Barty)✅Into R3 https://t.co/oyMCSkISvwHere are a few more reactions from accounts on Twitter:US Open Tennis@usopenA stunner to start RomeSofia Kenin takes out No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.61146A stunner to start Rome❗️Sofia Kenin takes out No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka. https://t.co/8VwjBIKvUqJosé Morgado@josemorgadoWow!Former top 3 Sofia Kenin shocks #2 and recent Madrid champ Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the 3rd round in Rome.Both top seeds in the bottom half are OUT after their first match at the Foro Italico with Roland Garros coming...60647Wow!Former top 3 Sofia Kenin shocks #2 and recent Madrid champ Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(4), 6-2 to reach the 3rd round in Rome.Both top seeds in the bottom half are OUT after their first match at the Foro Italico with Roland Garros coming...wta@WTASeals the upset Stunning tennis from @SofiaKenin who knocks out Madrid champion, [2] Sabalenka, 7-6 (4), 6-2.#IBI2381193Seals the upset ‼️Stunning tennis from @SofiaKenin who knocks out Madrid champion, [2] Sabalenka, 7-6 (4), 6-2.#IBI23 https://t.co/zfsNwSjGoaMateusz Wasiewski@wasiiewskimNot everyone can beat Sofia Kenin on clay.29433Not everyone can beat Sofia Kenin on clay. https://t.co/Dx8RZcZHHWMario Boccardi@marioboc17INCREDIBLE WIN Sofia Kenin defeats Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Rome Masters R3, getting her first Top 10 win since the 2020 Australian Open (SF vs #1 Barty)7-6, 6-2 in 1h37769INCREDIBLE WIN 💥💥💥Sofia Kenin defeats Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Rome Masters R3, getting her first Top 10 win since the 2020 Australian Open (SF vs #1 Barty)7-6, 6-2 in 1h37 https://t.co/Ol5K2vLnkGChristopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸@christophclareyBig upset and biggest win for American Sofia Kenin since her return to the tour. Former No 4 defeats No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (4) 6-2 in round of 64 at the Italian OpenKenin, a former French Open finalist, been returning to form in recent weeks but still....#getty855Big upset and biggest win for American Sofia Kenin since her return to the tour. Former No 4 defeats No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (4) 6-2 in round of 64 at the Italian OpenKenin, a former French Open finalist, been returning to form in recent weeks but still....#getty https://t.co/EXym8tV3G5#LEARLOCKS@LEARLOCKSWTA CRAZY. Sofia Kenin who has been dreadful the last 2 years just knock off world #2 Aryna Sablenka in straight sets. #3 rank Jessica Pegula lost earlier. #4 rank Carolina Garcia is in a tussle too.161WTA CRAZY. Sofia Kenin who has been dreadful the last 2 years just knock off world #2 Aryna Sablenka in straight sets. #3 rank Jessica Pegula lost earlier. #4 rank Carolina Garcia is in a tussle too.Sofia Kenin has what it takes to get back on track, says former coach Rick MacciSofia Kenin will be back on track says Rick MacciSofia Kenin has broken back into the top 150 of the WTA rankings after a long period of struggle with illness and injuries. The American’s former coach, Rick Macci, believes she will get back near the top soon enough."I think she'll get back on track," Macci said. "You don't lose the talent. You don't lose the ability. You lose the confidence, maybe you lose the fitness, there's an injury along the way so it can be a little more tricky."Kenin, who lost in the first round at the 2023 Madrid Open, has reached the third round of the 2023 Italian Open with a victory over eventual Madrid champion Aryna Sabalenka. The World No. 134 will face World No. 47 Anhelina Kalinina in the third round on Saturday, May 13.