Kenin breezes past Schmiedlova

Big-hitting American Sofia Kenin thrived in blustery conditions at the Hobart International to beat Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3 6-0 and claim her first WTA title on Saturday.

Kenin, 20, was put under early pressure by Schmiedlova, yet still saved eight of the nine break-point opportunities she offered up.

After battling to hold to 2-2 in the first set, she broke Schmiedlova’s serve in the fifth game and while the Slovakian broke straight back, Kenin began dictating play from the baseline and won the next nine games to wrap up the match in 71 minutes on her second championship point. –