Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Women's tennis 'never been more open' as Kenin becomes latest Slam surprise

Image
AFP Melbourne
Last Updated : Feb 02 2020 | 1:10 PM IST

The last five women's Grand Slams have now been won by five different players. Good luck trying to predict who triumphs at the French Open.

Sofia Kenin's three-set victory over Garbine Muguruza in Saturday's final at the Australian Open underlined just how open the women's game is.

The young American was seeded 14th in Melbourne and her best performance at a Slam prior to this was reaching the round of 16 at Roland Garros last year.

But here the fiery 21-year-old was, beating world number one and home hope Ashleigh Barty in the semi-finals and then defeating two-time Slam champion Muguruza.

A Kenin-Muguruza final was 750-1 with British bookmakers before the tournament. Kenin's victory was the last episode in a wildly unpredictable draw in which six of the top-10 women's seeds, including Serena Williams and holder Naomi Osaka, went out in round three.

Moscow-born Kenin, who will now jump to seventh in the world and above Williams as the top-ranked American, has confidence in bucketfuls.

Also Read

The unwavering belief that she was destined for the biggest stage in tennis shone through in the past fortnight in Melbourne.

Yet she was reticent when asked if she will be the one who emerges from the pack behind the 38-year-old Williams to win multiple Major titles.

"I would love to, that would be amazing," said Kenin, glass of champagne in hand after defeating Spain's Muguruza.

"Right now I still can't believe what just happened. I need to somehow come down and just let it all sink in.

"Hopefully I can just keep going, build up on everything that I've done these past two weeks, just move forward." - Free-for-all -
================
In comparison, the women's draw in Paris looks like being another bun fight. Williams will once more be chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, but it is her least-favourite surface. She may need to wait until Wimbledon if she is to equal

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 02 2020 | 1:10 PM IST

Next Story