A star is born

Melbourne, February 1

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America’s Sofia Kenin stunned two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza to win the Australian Open today, completing a surprise run where she has come from nowhere to win her first Grand Slam title.

Despite making her debut in a Major final Kenin, 21, showed all her trademark aggression as she fought back from a set down to win 4-6 6-2 6-2 in 2 hours, 3 minutes against the shell-shocked Spaniard.

The 14th seed, who will now jump as high as seventh in the world and usurp Serena Williams as America’s No. 1, was in tears at the end and headed straight for her father Alexander. It was the final twist in a tournament of upsets, after Williams went out in the third round and Kenin upset Australia’s world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the semifinals.

Muguruza, 26, was unseeded for the first time at a Slam since 2014, having suffered a marked loss of form in the last 18 months. She was resurgent in Melbourne over the past fortnight, but after grabbing the first-set lead, her serve failed her spectacularly. She totted up eight double-faults in all, three of them in the final game — including one on the second championship point, handing the title to her younger opponent.

Oh mother!

Kenin had to call her superstitious mother to break the news that she had won because she refuses to watch on TV, fearing it will bring bad luck. Kenin’s father is her coach but the rest of the family was back in the US.

“I called her right after the match just to tell her that everything’s fine, I won, she can just relax now,” a beaming Kenin said, glass of champagne in hand, referring to mother Lena. “She’s been really stressed at home, very superstitious. I told her I’m not going to be able to talk to you for hours, but at least you know that I won. I’m coming home, you can give me the biggest hug of your life.” — AFP