American 21-year-old Kenin progressed to the Melbourne showpiece after a superb 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 win over world No.1 Ashleigh Barty in Thursday’s semi-final.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Speaking after her victory against Australian Barty, 14th seed Kenin said: “I’m speechless. I can’t believe it. I’ve dreamed of this since I was five years old. I’ve worked so hard to get here.”
In Thursday’s other women’s semi-final Spain’s Muguruza was a 7-6 (10-8), 7-5 victor over Romania’s Simona Halep.
Former world No.1 Muguruza, 26, is a two-time grand slam champion but this year she is unseeded in Melbourne.
“I’m very excited to be in the final - it is a long way to get there,” said the Spaniard. “I wasn’t thinking I was down, I just thought keep going and knew I’d have an opportunity.
“I was hanging in there and fighting with all the energy I had.”
Australian Open men’s final: Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem
When: Sunday 2 February
Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
Start time: 8.30am (GMT)
TV channel: live on Eurosport
Novak Djokovic will be out to win a 17th grand slam and eighth Australian Open title this weekend in Melbourne.
The Serbian defending champion faces Austrian Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s showpiece event on Rod Laver Arena (8.30am GMT, live on Eurosport).
Should second seed Djokovic defeat fifth seed Thiem he would move to within three of Roger Federer’s record of 20 grand slam titles. Rafael Nadal is currently second on the list with 19 grand slam wins.
In the semi-finals Djokovic beat Federer 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-3 and Thiem beat Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4).
UK TV and live stream details
The first grand slam of the season will be shown in the UK on Eurosport and a live stream will be broadcast via Eurosport Player. A monthly pass to Eurosport Player costs £6.99.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine.Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
(Image credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Pre-tournament predictions: men’s singles winner
Louis Sealey, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“We’ve become accustomed to seeing Djokovic stamp his authority on the tennis season by winning the Australian Open, and 2020 could be no different. Victory at the Australian Open could well mark the start of another year of dominance for undoubtedly the best male player in the world.”
George Bellshaw, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“Djokovic is always the man to beat in Australia and while hopefully the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev can challenge the old guard, he remains the favourite down under.”
Sam Groth, Australian former professional: Novak Djokovic
“It’s easy for me, defending champion Novak Djokovic. He’s having a huge off-season at the moment. We’ve seen footage of him all over social media and all the training he’s doing. He was so devastating in that final last year against Rafa and it’s hard to go past him again.”
Vithun Illankovan, Last Word on Tennis: Novak Djokovic
“I do not believe Rafael Nadal has a chance of winning the Australian Open. No man in the Open Era has won every Grand Slam at least twice and I highly doubt the Tennis Gods would allow this to change. On the other hand, I think Novak Djokovic will retain his title. He has won the tournament seven times, which is more than anyone in the Open Era. Therefore, he seems like a safe bet to be victorious once again in Melbourne.”
Tennis Pro Guru: Novak Djokovic
“Everybody will talk about Daniil Medvedev. Is he the one who can break into the ‘three men’ zone? Can he beat Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer? Our answer is clear. His time will come but not in February 2020. Novak Djokovic will be again the winner of the Australian Open. Barring an unexpected injury, he will be prepared to beat anyone.”
Tim Henman, speaking to BBC Sport: Novak Djokovic
“I will go for Djokovic. I think his record is so good down under. He has got enough time for rest and recuperation that he is the man to beat.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine.Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Explore More
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The World of Tim Burton: a 'creepy, witty and visually ravishing' exhibition
Crossword: October 31, 2024
Sudoku hard: October 31, 2024
Future of Commonwealth Games in doubt as Victoria drops out
Novak Djokovic’s next big battle: fighting deportation from Australia
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Alphonso Davies expects a ‘goalfest’
Man City’s ‘World Cup’: Pep Guardiola’s team bid for Champions League glory
On the prowl for No.16: Tiger Woods is geared up for PGA Championship challenge
The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy
F1 Australian GP finally cancelled after McLaren withdraw
