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AFP
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1.10
The latest face among the Grand Slam winners: Sofia Kenin from the USA.
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AFP
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2.10
The 21-year-old wins the Australian Open.
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AFP
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9.10
Then only the American is on the trigger.
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keystone-sda.ch
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10/10
Muguruza congratulates Kenin on the title.
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Women’s tennis doesn’t get boring: after Naomi Osaka here a year ago, Ashleigh Barty (Paris), Simona Halep (Wimbledon) and Bianca Andreescu (US Open) there is another new Grand Slam winner. And after Serena Williams, who missed her 24th major title, and Sloane Stevens once again an American: Sofia Kenin – 21 years young and world number 15, emigrated to Florida from Russia to the USA. Combatively she reminds something of Maria Sharapova. And she was celebrated as a child prodigy as early as Martina Hingis.
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While the Swiss won her first of five single Grand Slam titles here in Melbourne at the age of 16 and later became the youngest world number 1 in tennis history, it took a while longer for Kenin, who was born in Moscow. No matter, the main thing is that the big moment will come one day. And with the final of the Australian Open he has now come – a little bit out of nowhere.
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Kenin first attracted attention in the women’s tableau of the Aussie Open after her victory over 15-year-old Langsfrau Cori Gauff. She confirmed her mission by knocking out world number 1 and local heroine Ashleigh Barty. In an emotional fight that lasted just over two hours, the spirited Sofia Kenin now wrestles her final opponent Garbine Mugurza.
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The Spaniard, who already has two major trophies from Paris (2016) and Wimbledon (2017), came to the final no less surprisingly. In 2019 she fell to 32nd place in the ranking, nobody had her as a favorite on the bill. But thanks to the re-engagement of her former trainer Conchita Martinez and a head-ventilating climb of Kilimanjaro, Muguruza has found her way back on track.
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Kenin: “Dreams come true”
However, it was not enough for the wildly determined Sofia Kenin. After the Spaniard won the first set 6: 4, she didn’t have much to oppose to the American. Back problems, which she tries to remedy with a time-out treatment after losing the second sentence, make her life even more difficult. And it is no coincidence that she ends the match with her eighth double mistake to her disadvantage.
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Kenin, on the other hand, completes the 4: 6, 6: 2, 6: 2 as coolly as she delivers her first victory speech on the microphone. No tears, no exaggerated gestures or celebrations with your team. Just one message that she seems to be very serious about: “My dream has officially come true today,” says Sofia, “because dreams come true. So if you have one, try it! »
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