American Sofia Kenin continues women's tennis youth movement with Australian Open title

Sofia Kenin.
(Image credit: Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Another new name has been etched in the women's tennis history books.

U.S. tennis player Sofia Kenin took home the Australian Open women's singles title Saturday, defeating Spain's Garbine Muguruza in comeback fashion, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. It was the 21-year-old's first Grand Slam title, and she became the youngest women's singles champion since Maria Sharapova in 2008.

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The Wall Street Journal notes it's another example of women's professional tennis entering a new era in which unpredictability reigns. For years, Serena Williams dominated the scene, but her grip has started to loosen (count her out at your own risk) a bit. Eight of the past 12 Grand Slam winners have been first-time champions, including several youthful stars like Kenin, 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu, 23-year-old Ashleigh Barty, and 22-year-old Naomi Osaka.

Read more at NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.