Match of the Day: Sofia Kenin vs. Jaqueline Cristian, Lyon

In tennis, it’s incredible how quickly the hunters become the hunted. A few good results—or an Australian Open title if you’re Sofia Kenin—and suddenly, every match feels more difficult than past ones. Since her life changing result in Melbourne, Kenin has gone just 2-3, with losses to Jelena Ostapenko, Dayana Yastremska, and Elena Rybakina.

None of these are bad losses. Ostapenko can catch fire at any points, and Yastremska and Rybakina are two of the game’s brightest young stars. It goes to show however, that past successes do not guarantee future rewards. Kenin must now learn to play with a target on her back.

Getty Images

With Indian Wells right around the corner, one wonders what Kenin is doing playing indoor tennis in Lyon. Perhaps she wanted another week of tournament competition after her short stints in Dubai and Doha, but the quick conditions on offer this week couldn’t be more different from what the world No. 5 will find at Indian Wells, where it's often hot and windy.

Kenin’s opponent, Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, is playing great tennis this week. Ranked No. 173 (but 104th according to her trending UTR), Cristian advanced through qualifying without dropping a set, and has clinched the second set, 6-0, in all three matches thus far. She hits flat and through the court, and should come out firing against Kenin. After all, it’s a big opportunity to defeat a reigning Grand Slam champion.