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Feb 1, 2020 9:30 am

Kenin rallies past Muguruza for first Grand Slam title

No. 14 seed Sofia Kenin rallied after losing the first set to defeat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza and claim her first Grand Slam title on Saturday at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Kenin, a 21-year-old American, overcame a rough start to pull out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory. She had never previously reached the quarterfinals of any major tournament.

“My dream has officially come true,” said Kenin after the two-hour, three-minute match. “If you have a dream, go for it, because it can come true.”


Muguruza, 26, jumped ahead with an early break and took a 4-2 lead in the first set, only to see Kenin rally to tie it up at 4-all. Muguruza then broke the American and served out to take the first set.

Kenin turned the tables in the second, jumping ahead 5-2 and then breaking Muguruza to draw even in the match.

Critical moment in the third

The pair traded holds to open the deciding set at 2-all, before Muguruza blew a golden opportunity when she had three break points in the fifth game.

Kenin saved all three and followed with a break of her own to take command of the match.

“I can remember that game very well, yes,” Kenin said. “That’s the game I feel like changed things. I had to play some best tennis. I did. After that, I was on fire. I was ready to take the beautiful trophy.”


Muguruza, a former World No. 1 but unseeded for this event, won the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017, but her best previous result at the Australian Open was a quarterfinal defeat in 2017.

“I had to be brave by playing a two-time Grand Slam champion,” said Kenin. “All respect to her. She played a really tough match. Every point, it was such a battle. A lot of moving. A lot of emotions on court from both sides.”

“I’m not very happy about my performance,” said Muguruza. “I think I had to play better today because she came up with a great level. I think at the important moments I didn’t find my shots. I think she found her shots.”

Kenin is set to rise to No. 7 when the new rankings are released on Monday. Muguruza is currently ranked No. 32 in the world.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)

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