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Smoke from fires affects the Australian Open 2:11
(CNN) - As a child, Sofía Kenin was able to hang out with some of the greats in tennis. Now, she herself could be on her way to becoming a major in this sport.
Kenin won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday, fighting to beat a resurgent Garbiñe Muguruza 4-6 6-2 6-2 when Melbourne's fickle weather resurfaced.
At 21, Kenin became the youngest female champion in the Australian Open since her idol, Maria Sharapova, in 2008.
"I am very proud of myself, my father, my team, all those who have surrounded me," Kenin said. “We have worked hard. We have been through difficult times. We did it. We fight I am elated. ”
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She converted five of six break points while saving 10 of 12 herself. Escaping from 0-40 to 2-2 in the decisive proved to be the turning point.
Kenin became the youngest female champion in the Australian Open since Maria Sharapova in 2008. Credit: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
"I think he found very, very good shots during the game," said Muguruza, who was not sowing after being a former World No. 1. "Especially in the important moments, I think he came out with [shots] winners and just hit the ball very well."
An increasingly erratic Muguruza broke up with eight double fouls, three in the final game, including a long point at the match point.
Kenin put his hand to his face in disbelief at the moment of victory before exchanging a hug with Muguruza. Soon he went to Dad Alex for a handshake. Mama Svetlana stayed at home, too nervous to watch the game.
Alex said earlier in the tournament, after the victory over the teenage sensation Coco Gauff, that his daughter should receive more attention.
That no longer seems to be a problem.
Kenin celebrates after the victory in the Australian Open final.
It will move into the top 10 from the 15th position in the ranking and will replace Serena Williams as the new US number 1.
Kenin, who ended local hopes by defeating world number 1 Ashleigh Barty in the semifinals, said he would like to move to New York someday, partly because of his elegant shops. You will have more money to spend after pocketing AUD $ 4 million (US $ 2 million).
Like Sharapova, Kenin was born in Russia before settling in Florida at an early age throughout New York. His father drove a taxi and studied computers, despite not having a good understanding of English. They had little money.
Sometimes, when he was driving the taxi, Alex said he couldn't understand where he should go.
"I don't think she experienced all the sacrifices we had to go through, but she knows about them and when we had just arrived in the country, it was very, very, very difficult," Alex said.
Kenin started playing when he was about three and a half years old, hitting balls with his father on his driveway in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Prominent tennis coach Rick Macci helped perfect his game and it was not long before Kenin took a tour of the Miami Open with Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters.
As a child, she also took a picture with Anna Kournikova and enjoyed watching Andy Roddick.
Kenin is not the tallest with his 1.73 meters tall, but he generates ample power by crossing the baseline and using the rhythm of his opponents. In addition, she rivals Sharapova's fierce competitiveness.
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In the last two sets, Kenin delivered 19 winners with only eight unforced errors, also playing an incredible defense when necessary.
"She showed that she can compete at any level," Alex said. "Those people who did not believe in her, had very valid reasons not to do it, because she has always been the smallest, but I think thank God I saw something that they did not know because I know her better."
Muguruza does not have the greatest power on the tour, but she owns a great talent that, when in her game, is relentless.
Kenin was in the last position of the opening game, but his arrival in the final did not seem exaggerated.
Melbourne's climate is at the height of the script, volatile. After two days of scorching temperatures that exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, the rain followed and the temperature dropped considerably on Saturday night.
Fortunately for all parties, the smoke that hit Melbourne during the qualifying week after the wildfires in the country has not been a problem during the tournament itself.
As a child, she also took a picture with Anna Kournikova and enjoyed watching Andy Roddick. Credit: Hannah Peters / Getty Images
Early Advantage for Muguruza
Kenin lost the service in 1-1 with a right blow and Muguruza built a 4-2 lead helped by winning a 23-shot rally that ended with a winning volley.
Muguruza, a former number 1 who entered the Australian Open in 32nd place, broke 4-4 after consecutive double failures for the second time in the match, a precedent for more problems in the third.
However, Muguruza did not allow that blip to become an extended slip, breaking by 5-4. She created nine break points in the first, which was sealed with a loud roar from Muguruza.
Losing the first set seemed to be a problem for Kenin; It would be necessary to go back to 2013 to see for the last time that a player who lost the first set went back to win the final: Victoria Azarenka defeating Li Na.
Kenin is more accustomed to roaring than Muguruza and three times he let out shouts of "let's go", even by winning a break point in 2-1. An error of Muguruza led to rest.
When he held on 4-1, Kenin purposely walked to his chair in accordance with his quick steps between points.
His second set numbers were brilliant: eight winners and only four unforced errors.
Garbine Muguruza started well and then made several unforced errors.
As in his only meeting in Beijing last year, won by Kenin, the match went to a third party.
The coach visited Muguruza when he felt the effects of a long fortnight, but there was no medical waiting time.
Kenin saved the three break points in 2-2 by moving Muguruza and registering three winners. It was a bold tennis under extreme pressure.
"That is the game that I feel changed things," Kenin said. “I had to play some of my best tennis. I did it. After that, it was on fire. I was ready to take the beautiful trophy. ”
Muguruza had to work very hard for the points, as evidenced by another rally of 23 shots when Kenin's defensive balloons kept the point.
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Muguruza subsequently dropped the 40-15 service, losing a setback near the deuce net after Kenin's return brushed the net and then failed twice at the breaking point, and Kenin did not look back.
This was still an encouraging tournament for Muguruza, who had defeated Serena and Venus Williams in their other two important finals.
Without being sown for the first time in a Grand Slam since 2014 after a problematic 2019, the 26-year-old defeated three seeds of the top 10 after meeting with the coach and member of the Conchita Martínez Hall of Fame. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the offseason seems to have been a moment that altered his life and career.
"I think I'm in a good process," he said. "I think I felt my game much better than before."
But Muguruza could not reach glory on Saturday thanks to an American whose determination coincides with her impressive game.
Australian OpenGarbiñe MuguruzaSofia Kenin
