Kenin crushes Australian hopes, upsets Barty to advance to her first Grand Slam final

Sofia Kenin could not have dreamt of a better start to the 2020 season, as she accomplished the biggest win of her career at the Australian Open.

The young American broke Aussie hearts on Rod Laver Arena, as she put on an amazing performance to defeat World No.1 Ashleigh Barty 7-6(6) 7-5 in an hour and 48 minutes.

This has been a tournament of firsts for the 14th seed, reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, semifinal and then final all within a week.

Having admitted that she was excited to play against Barty, the 21 year old had to withstand a barrage of aces and winners from the top seeded Australian in the first set. She was somehow able to save all three break points faced as the set progressed to a tiebreak.

Being 4-6 down, Kenin pulled off a miraculous comeback, saving two set points before obtaining one of her own and winning the tiebreak in just over an hour.

Barty broke the American's serve early in the second serve to lead 3-1, but Kenin was able to break back as her Australian opponent served for the match at 5-4.

Tied at 5-5 and with her father/coach cheering her on, it was Kenin who overcame her nerves as she held her next service game to love. Barty finally succumbed to the pressure and got broken for the last time, handing Kenin a spot in her first Grand Slam final.

In a run that no one could have anticipated, the young American has proved her naysayers wrong as she attempts to win the biggest title of her career.

Kenin has one more obstacle in her path. She faces the winner of the other semifinal between 4th seed Simona Halep and two-time Slam champion Garbine Muguruza.

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