Australian Open: Sofia Kenin claims maiden grand slam with victory over Garbine Muguruza

American 14th seed Sofia Kenin has rallied from a set down to stun Garbine Muguruza in the Australian Open final, producing a ruthless display in the biggest match of her career to announce herself to the tennis world. 

The child star is all grown up – and is a grand slam champion.

Fearless and finessed, plucky American Sofia Kenin has claimed the Australian Open with a stunning 4-6 6-2 victory over Spanish two-time slam winner Garbine Muguruza.

Kenin was simply relentless.

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Sofia Kenin celebrates a crucial point during her stunning Australian Open final win.

The 14th seed at Melbourne Park, the 21-year-old could only cry and shrug in disbelief when Muguruza unfortunately closed out the match with a double fault on a serve that had failed her.

“My dream has officially come true – I cannot even describe this feeling,” Kenin said.

“It’s so emotional. I’ve worked so hard. I’m just so grateful to be standing here.

“Dreams come true.

“If you have a dream, go for it. It’s going to come true.”

Never mind Kilimanjaro – the bigger summit for Muguruza was to be a killer Kenin.

Sofia Kenin gets her hands on the Australian Open trophy for the first time.

Muguruza, who just three months ago conquered below-freezing temperatures and Africa’s highest peak had the Australian Open wrenched from under her as the American's dogged nature won her the fight.  

It had all the hallmarks of being so different. 

At 2-2 in the final set, Kenin was 0-40 down and in trouble - or so it seemed. 

She turned on the blowtorch, winning 20 of the next 29 points, needing two looks at championship points before the trophy was sealed, completing the 21-year-old's journey from her Florida driveway to the big time.

The child prodigy had predicted this sort of success for herself as a wide-eyed young star who grew up on the court just knee-high to a Williams sister, in the arms of Anna Kournikova and offering tips on how she’d beat Andy Roddick.

She was five.

Kenin, the daughter of Russian immigrants Alexander – her coach – and Svetlana who arrived in the US in 1987, learned to hit a tennis ball at three years of age after her father sought something to do with his little girl after work.

It was a rollercoaster of a final, in which Kenin had some emotional moments.

The pair would trade blows in their Pembroke Pines home, having moved south from New York City when Kenin was a youngster, with Alexander struck by her hand-eye coordination at a young age.

Her local coach had taken some convincing to even let her play alongside the older kids.

She played well beyond her 21 years and all Alexander could do last night was watch on as she went to some work of her own on Muguruza, dismantling her game in an electric second set before landing the final blow, filming her acceptance speech on his iPhone like any proud parent. 

“My dad, everyone that’s there. Thank you for making this possible,” Kenin said.

“I can’t believe we’re here today. We worked so hard – all of us. I’m just grateful, from the bottom of my heart.

“My mom, she’s back home, probably watching this. I love you, mom.

“We really worked hard, so thank you and I’m just so grateful for this.”

Garbine Muguruza started with a bang, but struggled with her serve all night.

Two days after destroying Australian star and world No. 1 Ash Barty’s hopes of a home grand slam, Kenin didn’t sit still for a second – even as she gathered herself at each change of ends.

In one of the best matches seen for the entirety of the tournament, the pair traded baseline blows with a few of Kenin’s handy drop shots thrown in for good measure.

Her precision down the line – particularly under pressure in the final set – had serious bravado but the brawn to back it up, while Muguruza battled serve issues and an unforced error count she’d rather forget.

It was a performance that showcased Kenin’s flair but most importantly her grit, forged on her many years on the junior circuit, her father driving the streets at night to find practice courts in “the strangest places all around the United States” for junior tournaments.

It was as if there was a point to prove.

It’s certainly been proven – and it’s all paid off. 

Originally published as Australian Open: Sofia Kenin claims maiden grand slam with victory over Garbine Muguruza

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