Sofia Kenin battles back to beat Garbiñe Muguruza in Australian Open final

If to be young is heaven, Sofia Kenin is floating on an untouchable cloud after beating Garbiñe Muguruza in three sets to win the 2020 Australian Open, becoming the eighth first-time women’s champion in the past dozen grand slams. The 21-year-old daughter of Russian emigres, who arrived in the United States with little but hope and two children, is not only the youngest American to win a major since Serena Williams 18 years ago, but the youngest Melbourne champion since Maria Sharapova in 2008.

There were brief moments early in her 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win at Rod Laver Arena – witnessed by, among many celebrities, the man himself and Margaret Court, the finest Australian player in the history of the game – when Kenin looked as if she might find the occasion too much for her.