Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur is out of the US Open following defeat to America’s Sofia Kenin in a third round match.
The 26-year-old lost 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to the world number 4.
Jabeur took an early 4-2 lead in the first set that went into a tiebreaker, but Kenin, 21, recovered from a slow start to claim the set in 64 minutes.
The second seed then raced 2-0 in the second set before Jabeur broke back to serve at 2-1. Kenin then showed grit, closing out an 18-ball rally before going on to seal the win.
During the match, Jabeur struck 10 aces and had 35 winners to Kenin with14, but made 32 errors in while the American recorded 23.
“Obviously I knew it was going to be tough, but I told myself to keep fighting,” said Kenin after the match. “I knew that she wouldn’t maintain this level if I’m going to play the way I want to play. If she would have maintained it, then great match to her.”
Jabeur who is ranked 31 in the world also lost to Kenin in quarter-finals at this year’s Australian Open where Kenin became champion in Melbourne, and now leads 5-1 over her Tunisian rival.
But Kenin said about her opponent, “She’s a really tough player. I knew she’s going to come out playing strong. She’s had really good matches, good wins. It wasn’t an easy one, it wasn’t an easy battle.
A fourth round match is up next for Sofia Kenin against the Belgian 16 seed and world number 18, Elise Martens who saw-off another American Catherine McNally 7-5 6-1 in her third round match.