Why the women’s final may be longer than the men’s final at the 2020 Australian Open

Sofia Kenin (Google Images)

We are nearing the end of the 2020 Australian Open from Melbourne. In an exciting three set match on Saturday, Sofia Kenin of the United States defeated Garbine Muguruza of Spain, the two time grand slam champion, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and three minutes to win the women’s singles final.

Kenin was not only a first-time grand slam champion. She was competing in her first grand slam final. Kenin’s previous best grand slam appearance was the fourth round at the 2019 French Open.

Kenin, the 14th seed, will crack into the top 10 in the world with the victory at Rod Laver Arena. She is the first American to win a grand slam singles title since Sloane Stephens of Plantation, Florida won the 2017 United States Open.

In the three set match between Kenin and Muguruza, Kenin bounced back very nicely after losing the first set. Kenin seemed to show more positivity and confidence as the second set began. Kenin’s ability to overcome adversity within matches is a characteristic that is difficult to achieve for any tennis player, and it is even more remarkable that she is only 21.

Now one needs to question if the Novak Djokovic/Dominic Thiem men’s final will last longer or shorter than two hours and three minutes. Can Djokovic dominate Thiem like he has the rest of his opponents at the 2020 Australian Open? I think he can. That is because Djokovic comes into the match fresher than his opponent. Thiem was challenged more by Rafael Nadal of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany than Djokovic was by Milos Raonic of Canada and Roger Federer of Switzerland. The fact that Djokovic had an extra day of rest compared to Thiem will also be beneficial. The Sporting Base predicted Djokovic to win his eighth Australian Open at the beginning of the tournament, and looks to be the overwhelming favourite to beat the fifth ranked Austrian on Sunday.