Spunky Sofia Kenin sizzles Ashleigh Barty out of Australian Open: a new star?

     "I knew she wasn't gonna give this up to me," Sofia Kenin said smilingly, her long gold earrings shining in the sun. Barty didn't hand it over but she wasn't able to squeeze out those spins and slices with the tact she had in rounds before either. Both players came onto Rod Laver Arena with a dire need; a need to show the massive crowds their performances; a need to excel to the next and final level. Was it the heat index, pressure from the tennis community or the drive that infiltrated Barty's psyche? "I was two points away from winning that in straight sets, which is disappointing. I put myself in a position to win the match today and just didn't play the biggest points well enough to be able to win.

     Sofia Kenin has made remarkable grounds already having never been past the fourth round of any major, her philosophy also might have led her to the win. She probably said to herself just go out there and do the best. Kenin already was a winner by getting past the fourth round so she just couldn't lose. "I was telling myself: 'I believe in myself. If I lost the set, I'm still going to come out and believe...I didn't give up,' the soft spoken gutsy player had said. Barty gave her kudos to Kenin saying "She has the ability to adapt. She's extremely confident at the moment, as well...she deserves that respect and she deserves the recognition." It could be possible that Kenin didn't have as many tangibles as Barty had to come through with a victory.

     The last point won was just unbelievable for Kenin as she dropped her racket and looked in her daddy's direction holding up her arms as to say 'what I won...I can't believe it'. But it was true and if she takes that persona into the final with Garbine Muguruza who is playing excellent, that court will definitely be sizzling and it won't be from the heat either.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GFkPwA