WTA Berlin: Kenin vs Masarova – First

WTA Berlin: Kenin vs Masarova – First Round Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Sofia Kenin
🔥 Ranking Resurgence: Climbed from WTA #168 to #29 in under a year, thanks to WTA 500 finals in Tokyo and Charleston.
💪 Fighting Spirit: Gritty 3-set comeback win over Tomljanovic in Berlin qualifying shows her tenacity—and slight rust.
🌱 Sporadic Grass Success: 2–0 on grass this year, but hasn’t reached a QF on the surface since 2019.
🎾 Confidence-Boosting Wins: Recent victories over Azarenka and Pavlyuchenkova hint that her timing and baseline rhythm are returning.

Rebeka Masarova
📈 Busy Grass Schedule: Already her third event on grass this season; SF in Birmingham WTA 125 with wins over Golubic and Snigur.
🧱 Top-30 Scalp Collector: Has beaten Vekic and Putintseva this year, proving she can rise to the occasion.
📉 Inconsistent Results: Hot-and-cold this season—followed Birmingham SF with R1 exit in Ilkley.
🏠 Berlin Woes: 0–2 in main-draw matches in Berlin; looking for her first win at the venue.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match features a clash of styles—Kenin’s controlled, structured baseline play against Masarova’s taller, more erratic power game. Kenin's ability to absorb pace and redirect with depth should pin Masarova behind the baseline and force uncomfortable movements on slick grass.

Kenin’s strong return game should pressure Masarova’s inconsistent serve, especially on second-serve points. Meanwhile, Masarova’s flat groundstrokes can be dangerous but may also open up errors if she’s rushed or forced into wide positions.

Expect long rallies and momentum shifts, especially if Masarova starts fast. But Kenin’s big-match experience and her recent uptick in resilience should allow her to wear down the Spaniard eventually.

🔮 Prediction

Kenin’s return to form makes her a justified favorite. While Masarova has weapons, her inconsistency and poor Berlin history tilt this toward the American.

🧩 Pick: Kenin to win
🎾 Handicap Tip: Kenin -2.5 games
📏 Total Games: Over 20.5 – Masarova may push one set, but Kenin should close it out

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📊 Tale of the Tape

• H2H: First meeting
• 2025 Grass W/L: Kenin 2–0 | Masarova 5–2
• Career Grass W/L: Kenin 13–10 | Masarova 9–6
• 2025 Overall W/L: Kenin 20–13 | Masarova 16–14
• Berlin Main Draw Record: Kenin debut | Masarova 0–2
• Form Edge: Kenin – bigger wins, upward momentum