A grand day
Captures singles title, will become highest-ranked American in world
American Sofia Kenin claims Australian Open for first Grand Slam title.
Perhaps Sofia Kenin has been overshadowed in years past by her fellow Americans in women’s tennis, a band of players that includes the sensational teenage phenom Coco Gauff, the living legend Serena Williams and powerhitting mainstays such as Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens.
But as the first Grand Slam final of the year came to a close, it was Kenin left standing in the spotlight.
The 21-year-old Floridian came alive under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and fist-pumped away any pressure she might have felt playing in her first major tournament final Saturday at the Australian Open. Kenin defeated Garbine Muguruza, a two-time major champion and former world No. 1 from Spain, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, under a closed roof to claim her first Grand Slam title.
“This is my first speech,” Kenin said afterward, head tilted to reach a microphone suited more for 6-foot Muguruza than her 5-7 stature, “but I’m going to try my best.”
Kenin, who was born in Moscow but moved to the United States as a baby, will reach the top 10 for the first time thanks to the victory. When the world rankings are released Monday, she will be the top-ranked American woman, at No. 7, two spots ahead of Williams.
She covered her face in disbelief after beating the 26-year-old Muguruza, overcome and in a happy state of shock that lasted through her post-match speech.
“My dream has officially come true, I cannot even describe this feeling,” Kenin said. “It’s so emotional and I’ve worked so hard and I’m just so grateful to be standing here. You know, dreams come true.”
She called the Australian Open “the two best weeks of her life,” and indeed, the tournament saw some of her best tennis.
Kenin, the 14th seed, didn’t face a seeded player through the quarterfinals in Melbourne, but she raised her level without trouble when big moments called for it. In the fourth round, she beat Gauff, her more highly touted, 15-yearold compatriot, and in the semifinals she upset the world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in two tightly competed sets.
She rose to the occasion again Saturday, controlling her emotions to deprive the more experienced Muguruza of a third Grand Slam title. Muguruza won the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017.
But Kenin, who is coached by her father, Alexander, was undaunted.
The match came down to the fifth game of the third set. Tied at 2-2, Kenin was on serve and in serious trouble trailing, Love-40, when she roared back to win the game and then some — she pulled out five consecutive winners, including an ace, to capture five points in a row. She didn’t lose another game in the match.
The streak perfectly encapsulated one of the more engrossing aspects of Kenin’s style.
The American was by far the more emotional player on court, chastising herself constantly, bouncing her racket and angrily spiking balls after winning big points as if she had lost them. But after every minioutburst during a changeover, Kenin stepped to the line with a blank face, her visor pulled low as if to block out distraction and her memory as good as wiped clean.
Kenin kept Muguruza guessing the entire time, attacking her second serve with ferocity and precision. She mixed in chip shots, defensive lobs and turned to her beloved drop shot whenever possible. She placed her serves well and played her strong backhand beautifully to string Muguruza around the court, turning defense into offense as Muguruza’s movement worsened in the second set.
Kenin roared back after losing the first set to take a 3-1 lead in the second and force the deciding third set.
Muguruza, playing her fourth career Grand Slam final, had never played a third set in a title match, and her footwork declined as play wore on; Kenin grew more confident. The Spaniard, in the midst of a resurgence after falling out of the top 30 at the end of 2019, beat three top-10 players en route to the final but handed Kenin the match on a double-fault at championship point.