NFL sets 2018 London games; none for Miami
That third-round loss to her idol proved to be a big win and career turning point for Kenin, who like Sharapova was born in Russia but raised in Florida from an early age.
In winning her first two Grand Slam matches in New York and extending Sharapova for nearly two hours before losing 7-5, 6-2, Kenin earned the vote of tennis fans as the WTA's Breakthrough of the Month for August.
More significantly, the chance to cash a $140,000 check for reaching the third round of the Open expedited her decision to turn pro.
“Playing at the U.S. Open put like a cornerstone, a foundation on her being sure that she can compete at that level,” Alex Kenin said. “It proved to herself that she can.”
Kenin, who sometimes likes to go by her nickname “Sonya” instead of Sofia, saw her ranking rise nearly 100 spots during 2017. She reached the semifinals of her final three tournaments of the year.
Now she has graduated from wild-card entry at the U.S. Open to selection in the main draw of the Australian Open, the first major of the year.
But as Alex Kenin pointed out, it’s all part of a gradual progression with a long way to go.
Kenin got her start in junior tennis under Rick Macci and has trained with other notable coaches such as Nick Bolletierri and Richard Lansdorp.
She won the prestigious Orange Bowl junior title in 2014 in Plantation, was a Junior U.S. Open finalist in 2015 and won the USTA 18s title at age 16.
After their match at the U.S. Open, Sharapova said: “She’s a grinder. She’ll get many balls back. Despite not having the experience, she’s a tough player.”
Kenin showed those attributes again in taking the first set and giving Wozniacki her toughest match on the way to the final in New Zealand.
This week Kenin posted a (@sonyakennin) of photo on Instragram herself holding a baby kangaroo in Australia, unburdened by not having to go through qualifying to get into the Aussie field.
“She’s pretty confident. She is progressing with her game and looking forward to competing. She knows it’s not going to be easy,” Alex Kenin said, adding that through 2017, his daughter “became more aggressive. She looks very focused. She had very good matches. She competed very well.”
DAVIE — The NFL made it official Thursday, confirming what Dolphins fans knew for a while — Miami won’t be playing a game in London in 2018.
The league released its three-game London schedule Thursday, and the Dolphins, who lost to New Orleans 20-0 in London last season, aren’t involved in any of those contests. The games are: Seattle vs. Oakland, Oct. 14, at Tottenham Stadium; Philadelphia vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 21 or 28, at Wembley Stadium; Tennessee vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 21 or 28, at Wembley Stadium.
Dates and times will be announced in April when the NFL releases its full schedule. The Eagles, Seahawks and Titans have never played in London before.
Interestingly, Eagles running back Jay Ajayi, a London native who was being hyped as the face of the NFL in London last season as a member of the Dolphins, will make his third appearance there in his four-year career.
The Dolphins have played in London in three of the last four years.
In 2014, the Dolphins defeated Oakland, 38-14. One of the lasting memories was coach Joe Philbin, in the days leading up to the game, refusing to publicly confirm quarterback Ryan Tannehill as the starter. Tannehill, of course, started the game.
In 2015, the Dolphins lost to the New York Jets, 27-14. Philbin was fired the next day, departing with a 24-28 record in three-plus seasons. Tight ends coach Dan Campbell became the interim coach, sparking a brief revolution with his spirited one-on-one and two-ontwo hitting drills during practices and back-to-back victories in his first two games.
Last season the Dolphins were shut out by the Saints 20-0, as the offense continued a stretch of eight quarters with one touchdown.
The Dolphins also played in London in 2007, losing to the New York Giants, 13-10.
The Dolphins gave away a home game to play in London last season to fulfill an obligation for hosting Super Bowl LIV in 2020. Teams awarded Super Bowls are required to play a London game within five years of being awarded the Super Bowl.
The Dolphins, who finished the 2017 season with a 6-10 record and missed the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years, already know their opponents for 2018.
At home, they’ll play the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
On the road, they’ll face the Patriots, Jets, Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
chperkins@ sunsentinel.com, Twitter @Chrisperk