| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. Kenin (USA) (14) | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| G. Muguruza (ESP) | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by S. Kenin | 6 - 2 | S. Kenin leads 2 to 1 |
| Set won by S. Kenin | 6 - 2 | S. Kenin has tied the match at 1 set all |
| Set won by G. Muguruza | 4 - 6 | G. Muguruza leads 0 to 1 |
Spaniard Garbine Muguruza will look to win her third grand slam title and maiden Australian Open when she plays rising American star Sofia Kenin. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Garbiñe Muguruza, who arrived here recovering from a virus and unseeded in a slam for the first time since 2014, will play young American Sofia Kenin, the 14th seed who committed the crime of beating Barty 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 on the hottest day of the tournament.
The heat and the disappointment had barely faded when up stepped Muguruza, elegant and feisty in equal measure, to save two set points in each frame to upset Simona Halep 7-6 (10-8), 7-5 in the second semi-final.
Both were close, competitive matches. Both winners deserved to go through. Muguruza has come a long way in Melbourne since she was bagelled in her opening set of the tournament by qualifier Shelby Rogers.
The 26-year-old needed three sets to get past Rogers and Ajla Tomljanovic in the first two rounds, but she’s since beaten four seeded players, including three in the top ten, to reach her first final at the Australian Open.
She showed impressive resilience to overcome Halep on Thursday. After saving four points in the first set, she fought back from 3-5 in the second to come out on top against a player who had not dropped a set in the entire tournament.
Kenin was similarly strong in saving two set points in both of her sets against local favourite Barty. On her way to Saturday’s final she also beat 15-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff, who knocked out Venus Williams and defending champion Naomi Osaka, and Ons Jabeur, who had beaten Johanna Konta and Caroline Wozniacki.
The No. 14 seed’s previous best at a grand slam was the fourth round of the French Open last year, but she did reach four WTA finals in 2019.
Muguruza is 7-4 in career singles finals, having won six of the last seven she’s been in.
This will also be her fourth major final. She has won the last two, most recently at Wimbledon in 2017, so she’s considerably more experienced than her opponent in terms of playing at this level.
The 21-year-old Kenin has won their only previous meeting, though, when she triumphed 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 in Beijing last year.
Prediction
This should be a tough final, to say the least. Both players are among the most competitive on tour, with Muguruza in particular very difficult to beat when she gets on a roll at majors, as exemplified by her career success to date. Kenin will certainly fancy her chances, though, and shouldn’t be overawed by the occasion. In an upset Kenin should win a tight three-setter en route to her maiden Australian Open title.
Kenin in three sets.
Time: 7:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Rod Laver Arena
TV: Channel Nine
Online: 9Now
Odds: Kenin $2.39, Muguruza $1.56
Nico
Roar Rookie
Very excited for Sofia Kenin!! Picked her to win after Coco match. The elegant, tall, beautiful and talented Muguruza unfortunately gave up in the 3rd. Too many unforced errors too.
Gordon Smith
Guest
Kenin now number 7 in world and highest ranked American. When was Williams not top seeded USA.
Alan
Roar Guru
Muguruza with a double fault on the final point gifts Kenin her first grand slam title of her career, the American winning the 2020 Australian Open in three sets as predicted. After losing the opening set, Kenin continued to hustle hard and tightened her game superbly to take decisive control of the match. Muguruza began well enough, but she lost her way badly, particularly with her serve, producing double faults in very bad moments to provide Kenin with a springboard to success. Kenin though moved incredibly well around the court tonight, with her forehand and backhand serving her well. Kenin always had the positive energy to get this done hence why I predicted her to win tonight. Muguruza has had a great tournament all the same after a difficult 2019 and she should use this as a springboard for a great 2020 season. Kenin though leaves her mark here superbly and she is a very deserving Australian Open champion :)
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND GRAND SLAM FOR KENIN: SHE WINS 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Alan
Roar Guru
Forehand return winner and its championship point yet again for Kenin...
Alan
Roar Guru
Deuce as Kenin sends the backhand return long...
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point Kenin.....
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault yet again and its deuce. Jesus Muguruza has really struggled on serve in the big points.
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault yet again from Muguruza and its 40-30..
Alan
Roar Guru
Muguruza nets the forehand return and Kenin one game away from securing a first grand slam title….she leads 5-2 third set.
Alan
Roar Guru
Muguruza with some great hitting here despite Kenin's amazing hustle! 40-30...
Alan
Roar Guru
40-0 Kenin very close to sealing the deal here.
Alan
Roar Guru
Kenin with all the answers here. Slicing and dicing her opponent. Forehand winner. Kenin too good at the moment. 30-0
Alan
Roar Guru
Kenin now leads 4-2, third set.
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK KENIN: Double fault Muguruza just like in the first set and she gifts a huge break to Kenin!
Alan
Roar Guru
Break point for Kenin as Muguruza with another unforced error backhand side. That is called tension...
Alan
Roar Guru
Deuce....
Alan
Roar Guru
Terrific tennis worthy of a final. Kenin hustling very well. Muguruza giving her all as she ends the point with the overhead smash. 30-15.
Alan
Roar Guru
Kenin with another great winner and rally to hold after saving three break points in a row! Huge hold for the American. Muguruza under pressure now after failing to convert her chances. Kenin leads 3-2 third set.