Melbourne (AFP)
The American Sofia Kenin (15th world) won the Australian Open on Saturday and thus won her first Grand Slam title by beating in the final the Spanish Garbine Muguruza (32nd) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 .
"My dream has officially come true! If you have dreams, go get them: they can come true!", She launched on the court receiving her trophy.
Kenin had never passed the knockout stages in Major (Roland-Garros 2019) and was playing for the third time in Melbourne. On the road to the title, she notably beat the world No.1 Ashleigh Narty in the semi-finals.
The American, born in Moscow and arrived in New York as a child before settling with her family in Florida, was more motivated and above all less nervous than the 26-year-old Spaniard who was aiming for her 3rd Grand Slam trophy (after Roland- Garros 2016 and Wimbledon 2017).
Kenin thus won the match on an 8th double fault by Muguruza, the third in this last single game. She herself did not make the slightest mistake.
Previously, in the 3rd set, she had masterfully saved three consecutive break points at 2-2 by aligning five points in a row before winning her service game (3-2) and taking the throw-in for Muguruza in stride ( 4-2), already taking advantage of a double fault from the Spanish.
At 21 years and 80 days old she is the youngest winner in Melbourne since Maria Sharapova who was 20 years and 283 days old when she won in 2008.
"Congratulations Sofia, you played the whole tournament very well and we will see you often in the final," said Muguruza.
Monday, Kenin must become 7th world and therefore N.1 American in front of Serena Williams. She is the youngest American to enter the Top 10 since Serena on April 5, 1999.
Sofia Kenin was playing for the third time in Melbourne, like Martina Hingis when she won in 1997. Before Switzerland, Stefie Graf (1988) and Mary Pierce (1995) won their 3rd participation. Monica Seles won in 1991 on her very first appearance.
Muguruza, former world No.1, will again become 16th at the WTA thanks to her Australian final.
© 2020 AFP