Magnificent Kenin ends dream run with her first grand slam title

The young American made history on the 1st of February as she won her first grand slam, her first Australian Open with 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Sofia Kenin would have an opportunity to win her 1st grand slam title today and as expected she was nervous. From the 1st game of the match, it became known to both players was determined to be aggressive. Garbine Muguruza was aggressive and Kenin was hyper-aggressive. Sofia Kenin was also quite nervous which was apparent because of her body language.

She played erratically at times hitting unbelievable shots and then slamming an easy forehand out wide. The whole set was erratic in that sense. You could tell that Muguruza was more composed and probably better but flashes of brilliance by Kenin made ti really tough for Garbine to put her away. It was the Spaniard who was on top early leading 4-4 mostly due to a good amount of winners and a low amount of errors.

Her opponent had more errors but even so, she managed to pull it back to 4-4. Many expected her to continue a great run but she became erratic again losing it. She couldn't find a balance between a very hyperaggressive gameplan and her tendency to drift away from the baseline. Muguruza wasn't going to let that opportunity slip and she ended the 1st set 6-4.

The 2nd set started out brilliantly for Kenin. She didn't look shaken by the loss of a set and was dominant on her own serve. Muguruza looked impatient and rushed points which lead to a lot of mistakes that the American took advantage of. It was 5-2 for Kenin. The set continued normally with Kenin and Muguruza both winning their games. It was at that moment that Kenin stepped up her game and finished off the 2nd set 6-2.

The 3rd set started with both players trading games. At 2-2 Muguruza managed to battle herself to two break points but she conveyed neither because Kenin was stunning. Two long rallies with Kening winning both due to fantastic winners. Her display became more and more impressive. The next was something unique in its own way.

Muguruza jumped out to an early lead in it but Kenin fought back with immense fighting spirit. No point is lost for her. And she had a breakpoint, a very decisive point which might prove crucial. And then she received the greatest gift, a double fault from Muguruza, her fifth in the match. It was an uplifting moment for Kenin who won the next game with ease. She looked determined and focused hitting brilliant shot after another.

Muguruza again had a very easy game initially before giving it away by serving two more double points. She faced a match point but saved it. Kenin had another after yet another brilliant forehand winner. And it was a fitting end to the match as Muguruza had yet another double fault. It's funny how life is but it couldn't be much more of a fitting end.

All in all, it was deserved as she was stunning when it mattered the most. Key stats proving that: Muguruza had 8 double faults while serving 9 aces. Not a good ratio at all. And the second one is that she was 2/12 on breakpoints. Sofia Kenin won 5/6 break points she faced and deservedly won.

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