Kenin takes down Ferro in up-and-down three setter

• Roland-Garros, fourth round

• KENIN d. FERRO 2-6, 6-2, 6-2

• Key info: Kenin had to weather some early struggles, but still halted Fiona Ferro’s dream run on Chatrier.
• You will also learn: The match between Ons Jabeur and Danielle Collins was postponed due to rain.
• Why read this story: With the women’s draw being wide open, Kenin staved off a challenge as one of the few seeded players left.

Sofia Kenin had to dig deep for this one, especially after a nightmare of a first set. That’s exactly what the No 4 seed did, though, as she prevailed in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 match to book a quarter-final spot.

Early scares to late dominance

Kenin actually had a decent start to the match, breaking Ferro promptly to start and going up 2-0. However, she had a massive collapse after that stint, dropping six straight games as the French displayed her resilience in fighting through multiple deuces.

Ferro’s aggressiveness started to fade, though, and that gradually spelled the end of her run. After exchanging a break to start in the second, Kenin won four straight to go up 5-1 before closing out the second 6-2.

All the young American needed to seal the deal was another strong run to start the third, winning four straight again to go up 4-0 and broke once more from there to pull through with a 6-1 victory.

“I tried to use that as motivation,” Kenin said of the Parisian crowd. “Obviously I was not really too happy with how it was going. I knew it’s expected. I understand why; I’m playing a French player, and she’s had a great run here. Of course, they obviously wanted her to win.

“I just try to tell myself one point at a time — eventually it’s going to change if I just keep playing. Yeah, I definitely used the crowd as motivation because I really wanted to win. First of all, I did it for myself. I guess it’s always nice to get the win, obviously.”

Moving parts under the rain

On the other side of the draw, though, controversy arose with a scheduling decision. Due to the late rain in Paris, Roland-Garros decided to postpone Ons Jabeur-Danielle Collins in favour of finishing Pablo Carreno Busta vs Daniel Altmaier that night following the Kenin-Ferro match.

It was met with criticisms on favouritism, though, as the winner of Jabeur-Collins match will have to play on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday if she wants to make it to the final, whereas if Carreno Busta or Altmaier make it through to the semis, it will be a Monday-Wednesday-Friday lineup for the winner.

• Also read: Kvitova zooms past Zhang, sets up Siegemund quarter-final
• Also read: Roland-Garros Day 8 recap: Thiem’s all-timer, Halep crashes out