Tennis: Kenin plays Barty pooper

MELBOURNE • Sofia Kenin trailed Ashleigh Barty for most of their Australian Open semi-final, but not for one moment did she doubt she had what it took to beat the world No. 1 in front of her home fans.

While the American underdog trailed 4-1 in their head-to-head, she was not short on confidence yesterday, having matched Barty for hard-court wins (38) last year en route to three WTA Tour titles.

In her first appearance in the last four of a Grand Slam event, the 21-year-old never wavered even when the French Open champion took the initiative with her big forehands and backhand slices - and eventually prevailed 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.

"I believed I could win even though I had two set points down in the first and second," said the world No. 15, who is projected to break into the top 10 for the first time on Monday. "I could literally feel, I was telling myself, I believe in myself.

"I didn't give up. I knew it was a tough match. Of course, some things didn't go my way with the challenges and some great shots she came up with.

"But I didn't let that stop me. I was fighting. I left everything out all on the court, so it paid off."

Despite the partisan support at Rod Laver Arena willing Barty to stay on course and become the country's first home champion in 42 years since Chris O'Neil, Kenin refused to be intimidated. She became the first American player to beat the top-ranked player at any Major since Serena Williams did so at Wimbledon in 2002.

"I loved playing in this atmosphere. I love Australia. It has a special place in my heart," she said, before apologising for breaking the hearts of the crowd. "Of course, I knew they were cheering for Ash. There was some interesting cheers. I liked it. But it wasn't for me."

With much of the American tennis media coverage concentrated on Serena and Venus Williams, as well as the latest crowd favourite in 15-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff, Kenin, who was born in Moscow before moving to the United States as a toddler, has somewhat gone under the radar until now.

"I know people haven't really paid attention much to me in the past," she said. "I had to establish myself, and I have. Of course, now I'm getting the attention, which I like it. Not going to lie."

Tomorrow's final with Garbine Muguruza is what she has been working so hard for.

"I've pictured so many times being in the final, all the emotions, how it's going to lead up into the final," she said. "Obviously, it's a bit emotional and stuff. I feel like everything is just paying off."

Standing in her way of becoming the first American outside the Williams sisters to lift the Australian Open since Lindsay Davenport triumphed in 1995 is Muguruza.

Like Kenin, the Spaniard has revelled in her underdog status at the first Slam of the year, overcoming the odds and fighting back in both sets to beat world No. 3 Simona Halep of Romania 7-6 (10-8), 7-5.

Despite being a two-time Major winner, she did not receive a seeding after slipping to world No. 36 at the end of last year.

She has, however, put a poor campaign behind her and having been written off, she wants to continue to confound her critics following her best run at Melbourne Park.

"It's difficult, you never know who you're going to face right away, not being seeded," Muguruza, the first unseeded player to reach the women's final here since Justine Henin 10 years ago, said.

"I knew whatever match, it was going to be tough, even how I started the tournament not feeling well. I'm happy to not be in the spotlight, it's good."

REUTERS, NY TIMES

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