This Sharapova-Kenin Volley Highlighted the Night

Sofia Kenin had to be thinking she was watching her future.

Only her immediate concern was playing it in the present.

Maria Sharapova is her idol, for good reason. Both were born in Russia but moved to the USA to become immersed in tennis training. Kenin could do without any PED controversies, of course, but other than that ...

The two have finally met in battle, with Sharapova taking care of business in two sets -- 7-5,6-2 -- as her return to the peak of tennis continues.

Kenin was unbowed throughout, though, with one point in particular indicating how close to being competitive at the top level she's become.

She lost, but it was a crowd-pleaser nonetheless, and match point soon thereafter was inevitable:

There will surely be other matches, and possibly similar exhilirating volleys.

When they come, the 18-year-old Kenin will likley be doing it as her own hero.