Garbine Muguruza gallant in defeat to Sofia Kenin in Australian Open women’s final
At 2-2 in the deciding set of the Australian Open women’s final, Sofia Kenin saved three breaks points to launch herself to a famous victory. It was ultimately the game which broke a gallant Garbine Muguruza.
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At the end when Garbine Muguruza gave her on-court runner-up speech, her coach Conchita Martinez looked shell shocked.
“I am going to keep it short because I will get very emotional,” Muguruza said. “It’s an individual sport but I will never be there without them. They are over there suffering with me.”
She looked, unsurprisingly, done in, the first time we had seen real emotion all match.
When the players approached the net to toss the coin pre-match, Muguruza swished her racquet wildly, slicing the air, a routine we see from many players.
FULL COVERAGE: HOW THE WOMEN’S FINAL WAS WON
Sofia Kenin meanwhile jumped up and down on the spot, feet brought right up into her hamstrings as if an imaginary rope was being pulled ever higher below her, intent obvious. There are no half measures with the American.
The same could not be said of the Spaniard. When she controlled the first set and when she lost her way in the second, the way she held herself was much the same despite a gradual drop in her energy levels. She is far from a stereotypical, volatile Latin and invariably carries herself as if she might be sauntering along the catwalk.
Even after the doctor and physio were called at the break after the second set, she did not change, a stiff upper lip or not wanting to give the opponent anything, it didn’t matter.
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The insights came from her shot making, a sterling first set which she largely controlled through accurate serving was mixed with a wholesale lack of confidence when any shot came to her at a decent height, electing to volley side-on when her own height advantage – 1.82cm – should mean a winning smash every time.
Upstairs her coach Conchita Martinez, usually immobile, was up in her seat to swat every point. If it was meant to encourage her charge, we don’t know but when Muguruza double faulted for a 4-2 lead to Kenin, the American was home and hosed.
When Muguruza double faulted on championship point it was little surprise, but gallantly she strode to Kenin’s side of the net to congratulate the new champ, style to the end.
MUGURUZA: I DIDN’T DELIVER IN KEY MOMENTS
Garbine Muguruza was upfront about what she said was a below par showing in her first ever Australian Open final.
“I am not very happy with my performance. I had to play better because she came up with a great level. In the important moments I didn’t find my shots,” said the 26-year-old dual major champion who came into this tournament unseeded after a couple of disappointing years.
“I did feel a little bit lack of energy after so many matches. Physically it was a tough battle. Right now it’s tough to be happy although it has been an incredible tournament. You lose a final, but you got to make it to the final to be able to win or lose.”
Muguruza – who was composed and forthcoming in her media room interview 40 minutes after the match ended – said being asked to make a speech on Rod Laver Arena just minutes after losing was not easy.
“I try to have a good perspective and not be too dramatic. I gave myself a chance to be in a final. You realise that and you calm down a little bit.”
The boundless energy, movement and mannerism on display from Sofia Kenin were not a factor at all in Muguruza’s drop in the standard of play she has exhibited all tournament she said.
“I didn’t really look too much today (at) my opponent. She’s energetic, I think I had enough with my side. It’s her first grand slam final and she performed really well.”
Nerves and the physical effects of seven matches in 13 days had played its part said the Spaniard who will move up to the No. 16 ranking on Monday.
“I was feeling my body a little bit. But it’s normal after so many matches, tough matches. Also this match was a lot of rallies, a lot of running. Like every player, you’re nervous because it’s a very important match. I felt pretty good before the match, excited to really go out there.”
Dwelling on the past serves no purpose she said.
“I don’t think at all about the previous years, even the good ones or the bad ones. I feel like, What for? I got the best out of it, good or bad. I just started a new year. I have a new team. That’s it.”
THREE POINTS WHICH DECIDED THE WOMEN’S FINAL
1. With Kenin up 2-1 in the second set, Muguruza needed to reassert herself but at 30/40 on her own serve, nerves struck and she hit long under no pressure. A 3-1 lead and the set to Kenin eventually resulted.
2. At 2-2 30/40 in the final set, Kenin drove a forehand winner and followed it with an ace. The comeback from 0/40 destroyed Muguruza.
3. In the next game the Spaniard hit a rushed forehand long at 40/30. Kenin took the next two points to make it 4-2 and Muguruza was cooked.