Cleveland Open 2024: Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel preview, head-to-head, prediction & pick | Tennis in the Land
Match Details
Fixture: (8) Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Tournament: Tennis in the Land
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Jacobs Pavilion, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN+
Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel preview
Eighth seed and home favorite Sofia Kenin will square off against Clara Burel in the second round of the 2024 Tennis in the Land on Wednesday, August 21, on center court.
Kenin has had a subpar 2024 season by her lofty standards, with an 8-19 win-loss record. Her best results so far have been a couple of third-round appearances in Rome and Paris, where she overcame the likes of Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia.
Kenin opened her campaign in Cleveland with a gritty three-set victory over compatriot Katie Volynets. It was her first singles victory in five attempts, her last win coming at the French Open in May.
Burel, on the other hand, has a 16-19 win-loss record this year. She began the season strong, reaching the third rounds of both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. The French player advanced to the quarterfinals in Linz a few weeks later, where she lost to third seed Donna Vekic. She has since picked up just one win in seven encounters, the sole win coming at Wimbledon.
Burel kicked off her Cleveland campaign with a routine 6-3, 6-2 win against American teen lucky loser Elvina Kalieva. She was supposed to face Bernarda Pera in the second round but the latter pulled out ahead of the contest.
Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel head-to-head
Sofia Kenin and Clara Burel have not played each other on the WTA tour, so their head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel odds
(Odds to be added once made available)
Sofia Kenin vs Clara Burel prediction
Both Sofia Kenin and Clara Burel arrived in Cleveland in not the best form. Kenin was searching for her first win in five games while Burel was aiming to win just her second match in her last eight encounters.
Kenin was taken the distance in her encounter but displayed great mental fortitude to close it out at a tricky juncture in the decider against Katie Volynets. While she struggled on serve, she compensated on the return, averaging more than 50% of breakpoint opportunities converted.
Burel, on the contrary, sailed through her encounter against Elvina Kalieva, excelling in nearly all departments. She served well, winning 73% points behind her first serve and hitting nine aces. Her net play also paid dividends and could be a vital weapon in her arsenal going forward.
Given their recent form and overall match record this season, the two players walk into this encounter evenly matched. Kenin's better hardcourt record, coupled with the home support, could give her the edge in this contest.
Pick: Kenin in three sets.