Sofia Kenin is the first American other than Serena or Venus Williams to reach the final in Melbourne since Lindsay Davenport in 2005
Thursday 30 January 2020 10:52, UK
American 14th seed Sofia Kenin stunned home favourite Ashleigh Barty to reach her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open.
Barty was looking to become the first Australian woman to make the final in Melbourne since Wendy Turnbull in 1980 and, as the top seed and world No 1, expectations were sky high.
But 21-year-old American Kenin had other ideas and she took advantage of Barty's understandable edginess on a steaming hot Rod Laver Arena to win 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.
Barty had two set points in both sets but could not convert any of them and Kenin reeled off the final four games of the match.
"She's such a tough player, she's playing really amazing and I knew I really needed to find a way to win," Kenin said. "This really wasn't an easy one. I'm just so speechless.
"I can't believe this, I have dreamt about this moment since I was five-years-old. I've worked so hard to get here.
"I needed to fight out there. There's a reason why she's world number one."
The Russian-born Floridian, who had never had been past the fourth round at a major tournament until now, could scarcely believe what she had achieved, and this victory will be enough to take her into the top 10 whatever happens on Saturday.
Barty, a reluctant celebrity, had spent the fortnight refusing to buy into the hype, but there was no doubt how much this meant to her.
The top seed could not pull away from Kenin, though, seeing three break points come and go at 3-2 and then a lead evaporate in the tie-break.
Barty had two set points at 6-4 but tightened up and her opponent took full advantage, winning the last four points.
Kenin's talent and competitive nature marked her out from an early age so it was no surprise to see her rise to the occasion on the biggest day of her tennis life.
As the temperature soared to 38 degrees, it was Barty who made the move in the second set with a break for 2-1, the baking fans on Rod Laver Arena willing her on.
Serving for the match at 5-4 she was poised to push the contest to a decider but again was unable to play freely and Kenin, whose speed of foot is matched by her speed of thought, continued to make life difficult.
The American saved two set points before retrieving the break and kept her foot on the accelerator to take her second match point.
Barty conducted her press conference while bouncing her 12-week-old niece Olivia on her lap.
"This is what life is all about," she said. "It's amazing."
Barty kept perspective on her defeat, saying: "I think it was a match where I didn't feel super comfortable. I felt like my first plan wasn't working. I couldn't execute the way that I wanted. I tried to go to B and C.
"It's disappointing. But it's been a hell of a summer. If you would have told me three weeks ago that we would have won a tournament in Adelaide, made the semi-finals of the Australian Open, I'd take that absolutely every single day of the week.
"But I put myself in a position to win the match today and just didn't play the biggest points well enough. I have to give credit where credit's due. Sofia came out and played aggressively on those points and deserved to win."
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