Who is Sofia Kenin? Meet 21-year-old American who will play in Australian Open final

To be the best, sometimes you actually do have to beat the best. That wasn't an issue for Sofia Kenin on Thursday, when she took down top-ranked Ashleigh Barty (7-6 (8-6), 7-5) in the Australian Open 

Kenin, who became the youngest woman to defeat a world No. 1 in a major since 2002, will play in her first grand slam final match Saturday against unseeded Garbiñe Muguruza. She entered the Australian Open as the No. 14 seed. 

"I'm so speechless. I honestly can't believe this. I've just dreamed about this since I was 5 years old," Kenin told the crowd during her post-match interview. "This wasn't really an easy one." 

Kenin is the first American other than a Williams sister to reach the Australian Open final since Lindsay Davenport in 1995. And Kenin is the first American woman to beat the No. 1 player at a major since Serena topped Venus at Wimbledon in 2002.

“I’ve just dreamed about this moment since I was five-years-old with that @andyroddick video.”

It’s your time, @SofiaKenin ?#AO2020 | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/Sw8bnCuiDn

Get to better know the newest American tennis sensation:

Who is Sofia Kenin? 

Kenin was born in Moscow before her parents emigrated to the United States from Russia when she was a baby. She was raised in Florida and goes by "Sonya" among those close to her, according to her website. 

At age 7, Kenin began playing in USTA youth tournaments. By 2014, she was representing the U.S. at the Summer Youth Olympics and the Fed Cup team. 

In 2017, she turned pro and made it to the third round of the U.S. Open before losing to Maria Sharapova. Kenin advanced to that stage of the U.S. Open for the next two years as well. Until this tournament, the 2019 French Open (fourth round) was the furthest she made it in a tournament. At Roland Garros that year, she upset Serena Williams in the third round.

Still, Kenin won 2019 WTA Most Improved Player of the Year honors thanks to three singles titles, and achieved her highest ranking (No. 12). According to The New York Times, Kenin will break into the top 10 for the first time in her career. 

By turning pro, Kenin forfeited a scholarship to play tennis at Miami (Florida). Kenin's father, Alex, has served as her primary coach during her entire career. 

Contributing: The Associated Press

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