A heartwarming old photo has re-emerged on social media after Sofia Kenin’s superb Australian Open semi-final win against Australia’s Ash Barty.<\/p>\n
American 14th seed Kenin ended the host nation’s hopes of a first female winner at the Australian Open in 42 years after downing Barty 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.<\/strong><\/p>\n ‘WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT\u2019:\u00a0<\/strong>Ash Barty’s ‘humble’ take on Australian Open heartbreak<\/strong><\/p>\n ‘IT\u2019S TOUGH’:\u00a0<\/strong>The ‘horrible’ truth in Roger Federer’s Australian Open loss<\/strong><\/p>\n ‘WHAT SPORTSMANSHIP LOOKS LIKE’:\u00a0<\/strong>Rafa Nadal’s incredible act after Australian Open loss<\/strong><\/p>\n The Moscow-born Kenin saved two set points in each set<\/strong> before securing a victory which ensured she would break into the world top 10 for the first time.<\/p>\n “I was telling myself, I believe in myself,” she said.<\/p>\n “If I lose the set, I’m still going to come out and believe.<\/p>\n “I really did a great job with it and I didn’t give up.<\/p>\n “I knew it was a tough match.<\/p>\n “Of course, some things didn’t go my way with the challenges and some great shots she came up with, but I didn’t let that stop me.<\/p>\n Born in Russia before moving to America at a young age, Kenin grew up idolising fellow Moscovite Anna Kournikova.<\/p>\n Like Kenin, 38-year-old Kournikova has fond memories of the Australian Open after reaching doubles finals in 1999 and 2002.<\/p>\n With the pair’s lives following similar trajectories, it explains why a cute photo of the former Russian star hugging a young Kenin features on the 21-year-old star’s personal website.<\/p>\n Kenin famously declared as a seven-year-old that she could return a serve from big-hitting American legend Andy Roddick.<\/p>\n The clip has since gone viral on Twitter.<\/p>\n Retired former men’s world No.1 Roddick was among the first people to congratulate Kenin on her victory over Barty on Thursday.<\/p>\n “This girl has become the goods! Kick ass and bring home the title @SofiaKenin. So cool,” he tweeted.<\/p>\n Kenin’s semi-final triumph saw her move within one win of becoming the first American man or woman to win a major title since Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open.<\/p>\n “I always believed I can (do this),” Kenin said.<\/p>\n “Of course I didn’t have a book.<\/p>\n “I didn’t know exactly when.<\/p>\n “I feel like at this young age, I think it’s incredible.<\/p>\n “Not everyone gets to live this moment, live this dream. I’m just really grateful for it.<\/p>\n\u2018I’ve worked so hard\u2019<\/h2>\n
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