Sofia Kenin vs Garbine Muguruza Australian Open Finals Odds & Pick
By Hayley Graham in Tennis
Updated: March 18, 2021 at 2:01 pm EDTPublished:
- Sofia Kenin and Garbine Muguruza will play each other in the Australian Open final Friday morning at 3:30 am EST
- Kenin upset Australian and World No.1 to reach the finals
- Muguruza upset former World No. 1 Simona Halep to move onto the finals
Two unexpected, but deserving players will face off against each other in the finals of the 2020 Australian Open. Sofia Kenin and Garbine Muguruza both stormed through their semifinal matches, each beating their opponent in straight sets.
The 21-year old American has been having a breakthrough run at this tournament, and the 26-year old Spaniard is showing why she was once No. 1 in the world. Going into the finals, Muguruza is the favorite to win the Grand Slam.
Sofia Kenin vs Garbine Muguruza Australian Open Final Odds
| Player | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia Kenin | +3.0 (-110) | +160 | U 22.0 (-110) |
| Garbine Muguruza | -3.0 (-110) | -180 | O 22.0 (-110) |
Odds taken Jan 30
Sofia Kenin
On the hottest day of the tournament, Sofia Kenin defeated Australian and World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, 7-6(6), 7-5. This is her first major final of her career, and she’s only 21-years old. She also becomes the first American, other than someone with the last name Williams to reach the Australian Open final since 1995.
Neither player was at their best with the heat. It was obviously uncomfortable for the players as well as the fans. The heat caused the balls to fly off the rackets and go all over, making it that much harder to control all their shots. This was evident in the opening set. It took Kenin 43-minutes to actually register just a forehand winner, as her first 11 of 14 points were just results of unforced errors from Barty.
Clutch Kenin@SofiaKenin collects a 7-6(6) 7-5 win over world No. 1 Barty to reach her first Grand Slam final and become the youngest Melbourne finalist since 2008.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/vPxrtFzgZU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2020
Barty was given two opportunities to win the first set, but wasn’t able to finish. And when the second set rolled around, it was the same thing. She was not on her game whatsoever. Her notoriously reliable one-handed slice backhand, was far from as useful as it usually is.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Sofia Kenin does it!
The 21yo American stuns the homecrowd with a 76(6) 75 win over No.1 Ashleigh Barty to advance to the #AusOpen final.
Kenin saved 2 SPs in both sets to edge out a straight set win. pic.twitter.com/pjM0Cmnov2
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 30, 2020
With her semifinal win, Kenin will now be in the top 10 rankings.
Garbine Muguruza
Unseeded Garbine Muguruza has earned her spot in the Australian Open final. The former World No. 1, came to Melbourne after having to retire from a previous match due to coming down with a virus. She came into the tournament as an unseeded player at a Grand Slam for the first time in six years. But she was able to beat Simona Halep in straight sets, winning 7-6(8), 7-5.
In the first set, it was head to head. The Spaniard had to fight off four set points off the bat. She led 5-3 before Halep went on a run to win 15 of the next 17 points. Muguruza then countered by taking seven consecutive points off her. Halep hit a shot into the net to end the first set, giving Muguruza the lead.
Garbiñe Muguruza will not be denied.
The former No.1 is into her 1st #AusOpen final, coming through tough conditions and a relentless Simona Halep to win 76(8) 75.
Muguruza vs. Kenin for the 1st major title of the decade. pic.twitter.com/HpxDG5thRG
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 30, 2020
Kenin vs Muguruza Head-to-Head
| 15 | World Ranking | 32 |
| 1 | Head-to-Head wins | 0 |
| 0 | Sets lost at the 2020 Aussie Open | 2 |
| 7 | Aces landed at the 2020 Aussie Open | 33 |
The two players have only played each other once before, last year in 2019. We all know that Garbine Muguruza has not played the tennis we all know her to play for the last couple of years, having a really disappointing 2019. But despite all that, Kenin has beat her, she’s played her, and she knows what to expect. Kenin has yet to drop a set in the Australian Open and is on an incredible run. This finals match could go either way.
Best Bet
This is tough. It could really go either way. As mentioned, Kenin hasn’t dropped a set all tournament and is having this breakthrough performance, that will set up her year, and be considered a contender. Murguruza, on the other hand, has had a rough couple of years, but we’re seeing a lot of old school Garbine on the court this tournament.
She’s been in a position of pressure and has been one of the best before. I think experience might push her forward in this match, and make her a champion.
Best Bets: Garbine Murguruza 2-1 (+300) / Moneyline (-180)
Sports Writer
A graduate of Sport Media at Ryerson University, Hayley is the ultimate student of sports. Whether she is playing it, watching it, debating it, or writing it, it's safe to assume sport consumes the majority of her life. She has worked both internationally and with the NBA.
