Winner's Circle: Kenin stuns field with maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne

In this edition, we shall relive American Sofia Kenin's captivating run to the final of the 2020 Australian Open, where she claimed her first Major title.

Prior to the first Grand Slam event of the season, Sofia Kenin had a 2-2 record for the year. The 21-year old had just won the WTA Most Improved Player of the Year award for her breakthrough 2019 season, during which she won three WTA titles.

Seeded 14th at the Australian Open, Kenin recorded a 6-2 6-4 victory over qualifier Martina Trevisan in the opening round. She defeated compatriot Ann Li 6-1 6-3 in the second round, reaching the third round in Melbourne for the first time.

China's Shuai Zhang proved to be a more difficult challenge, as Kenin required two hours before etching out a 7-5 7-6(7) third round victory. She then faced American teenage sensation Coco Gauff in a highly-anticipated fourth round encounter. Despite Gauff winning a close first set, Kenin's experience prevailed, allowing her to outlast Gauff 6-7(5) 6-3 6-0 in just over two hours.

Having reached her first quarterfinal at a Grand Slam, Kenin kept the momentum going with a 6-4 6-4 victory over the in-form Tunisian Ons Jabeur. Awaiting Kenin in the semifinal was top-seeded Australian Ashleigh Barty, who had just defeated 2019 runner-up Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals.

Despite strong support from the home crowd, Barty was unable to overcome the American's power and precision. Kenin battled past Barty 7-6(6) 7-5 to advance to her first Grand Slam final. She would face the resurgent Garbine Muguruza, who upset fourth seed Simona Halep in the other semifinal. Lasting over two hours, the final saw an aggressive Muguruza claim the first set before Kenin regained her composure and prevail with a 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory.

Kenin's triumph in Melbourne not only saw her win her maiden Major title, but she also broke into the Top 10 for the first time in her career, rising from No.15 to No.7 in the WTA rankings.

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