Sofia Kenin claims first WTA title at Hobart International 2019
(January 12, 2019) Young American Sofia Kenin has taken out the Hobart International 2019 singles final to claim the Hobart International title.
It’s Kenin’s first title on the main tour in her first final, her previous best showings were semifinal runs at Mallorca and Québec City last year. Kenin is the 10th player since 2000 to lift her maiden WTA title at Hobart.
A dominant performance helped the 20-year-old win her first WTA singles title, defeating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) 6-3, 6-0 in the 71-minute final on Saturday
Kenin, currently ranked No.56, has made a blistering start to the 2019 season. She won her first WTA doubles title in Auckland last week with Genis Bouchard and is now projected to break into the world’s top 40 in singles after her effort this week to No. 37. Schmiedlova is projected to return to the Top 60. Kenin did not drop a set throughout the tournament and beat three-seeded players, including world No. 19 Caroline Garcia in the opening round.
Kenin was overjoyed after the match, thanking fans, her team and tournament staff for the support.
“It feels amazing, I’m really happy to have won,” Kenin said. “I couldn’t ask for a better start.”
“I didn’t want to overthink it and I’m happy with the way I composed myself during the match.”
“I’m going to have a lot of great memories from Hobart, it’s a beautiful city and I’m excited to come back here for many more years to come and keep defending my title.”
Kenin, who was born in Moscow, will face qualifier Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Australian Open
In the doubles finals, sisters and top seeds Latisha Chan and Hao-Ching Chan (TPE) won a fierce battle against regular Hobart visitors Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) / Johanna Larsson (SWE) 6-3 3-6 [10-6].
RESULTS: SATURDAY 12 JANUARY 2019
SINGLES FINAL
Kenin (USA) d A. Schmiedlova (SVK) 6-3 6-0
DOUBLES FINAL
[1] H. Chan (TPE) / L. Chan (TPE) d [4] K. Flipkens (BEL) / J. Larsson (SWE) 63 36 10-6
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