Dimitris Kouimtsidis
GARBINE Muguruza has lost in the final of the Australian Open.
The Spaniard lost to Sofia Kenin 6-4 2-6 2-6, who won her first Grand Slam title.
The 26-year-old was looking to win her first Australian Open title and add to the two Grand Slams she has already won.
The former world number one entered the tournament unseeded – for the first time since 2014 – and was aiming to cap a remarkable return to form.
She managed to secure three massive victories against top-10 opponents in Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina and Dutch ninth seed Kiki Bertens.
Even though the Venezuelan born player won the first set, she looked like she couldn’t cope with the American’s pressure in the second and third sets.
She was visibly upset at the end of the match, apologetically promising to keep her runners-up speech short because she was ‘going to get emotional’.
“I’m not very happy about my performance,” said Muguruza, playing in her first Grand Slam final on a hard court.
“I had to play better because she came up with a great level.
“At the important moments I didn’t find my shots.
“She found her shots.
“I did feel a little bit of a lack of energy after so many matches.
“Physically it was a tough battle out there.”
