America’s Sofia Kenin defeated two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza, fighting back from a set down to win the Australian Open in her first Grand Slam final on Saturday.
Kenin, showed all her trademark aggression as she fought back from a set down to win it 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes.
The 21-year-old became the youngest player to lift the trophy in 12 years, since Maria Sharapova in 2008. At 21 years and 80 days, Kenin is 22 days younger than Japan’s Naomi Osaka when she won the title last year. She is the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova won aged 20 in 2008.
“I’m just so happy to be here,” said Kenin after receiving her trophy. “All my hard work has paid off. I’d just like to say that if you have a dream then you should go for it, because it will come true. These past two weeks have been the best of my life. Look forward to coming back next year.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted to her win:
Things Sofia Kenin did today:
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) February 1, 2020
Hit drop shot winners
Hit defensive lobs
Hit three clean winners on break points in the 3d set
Play fast-twitch defense in the corners
Think on her feet
Believe
Compete
Win the Australian Open
Have yourself a fortnight, @SofiaKenin!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2020
✅ First Grand Slam Title
✅ Top 10 Debut
✅ Youngest winner since 2008#AusOpen | #AO2020 pic.twitter.com/iuM4oHld76
Sofia Kenin (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/McJZQLiabv
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 1, 2020
A new star is born 💫
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 1, 2020
21-year-old Sofia Kenin defeats Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to claim the first Grand Slam title of her career!@SofiaKenin | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/S41CdzlCo5
Kenin up to #7 in the WTA Rankings, new American #1.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 1, 2020
21-year-old Sofia Kenin is your 2020 #AusOpen champion, showing some absolutely incredible fight to tough out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Garbiñe Muguruza.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 1, 2020
That third set was much tougher than score would suggest, and Kenin was every bit ready for the battle.
Shame to end on a DF.
Sofia Kenin, 21, has won the 2020 Australian Open.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 1, 2020
She is the youngest American woman to win a major title since 20-year-old Serena Williams won the 2002 US Open. pic.twitter.com/Sjyy1PSjPl
People thinking Kenin is a nobody 🙈
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) February 1, 2020
She is 14th seed
In 2019 she beat
Serena Williams
Andreescu
Barty
Osaka
Svitolina
Muguruza
Mertens
Keys
Bencic
Sevastova
Pavyluchenkova
Azarenka
Yastremska
Goerges
To name a few
Alex Kenin, on how the family’s immigrant story impacted Sofia. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/cz2L77tEL2
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) February 1, 2020
🏆 List of Grand Slam singles champions born after September 1988 🏆
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) February 1, 2020
Women's — Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Garbine Muguruza, Jelena Ostapenko, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin
Men's —#AusOpen
Sofia Kenin
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) February 1, 2020
Youngest American to win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open. Youngest American woman to win a Slam since Serena Williams at the 2002 U.S. Open.
Youngest woman to be the highest-ranked American since Serena Williams was year-end No. 1 in 2002.
SOFIA KENIN for you.
— Prajith (@prajithkp) February 1, 2020
Australian Open Champion.. pic.twitter.com/hviTTN97UZ
Australian Open women's champion:
— Norbert Elekes (@NorbertElekes) February 1, 2020
2020 🇺🇸Sofia Kenin
2019 🇯🇵Osaka
2018 🇩🇰Wozniacki
2017 🇺🇸Serena Williams
2016 🇩🇪Kerber
2015 🇺🇸Serena Williams
2014 🇨🇳Li Na
2013 🇧🇾Azarenka
2012 🇧🇾Azarenka
2011 🇧🇪Clijsters
2010 🇺🇸Serena Williams
2009 🇺🇸Serena Williams
2008 🇷🇺Sharapova#AusOpen
Recent GS winners born
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 1, 2020
Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)
Garbine Muguruza (Venezuela)
Sloane Stephens (USA)
Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Simona Halep (Romania)
Angelique Kerber (W Germany)
Naomi Osaka (Japan)
Ashleigh Barty (Aust)
Bianca Andreescu (Canada)
Sofia Kenin (Russia)#AusOpen
If there’s one thing I’ve taken away from Kenin this fortnight, it’s that her behaviour between points has absolutely no impact on her next point.
— Ace Tennis Previews (@Ace_Previews) February 1, 2020
She is ruthless and locked in. I used to read too much into what she projects between points, but she is incredibly tough. #AusOpen
Active players who have won a women's singles major title:
— Nikhila (@kokudum) February 1, 2020
Serena
Venus
Sharapova
Kuznetsova
Kvitova
Stosur
Azarenka
Kerber
Muguruza
Ostapenko
Stephens
Halep
Osaka
Barty
Andreescu
Kenin
Women's tennis is in an amazing place.
Naomi Osaka, 22 years old.
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) February 1, 2020
Sofia Kenin, 21 years old.
Bianca Andreescu, 19 years old.
The future is now on the WTA ⭐🏆💪 pic.twitter.com/j7c0Jx0iL1