Australian Open: Team Muguruza reunited as favorites in the final?
Garbine Muguruza and Sofia Kenin contest the women's final at the Australian Open 2020 . The Spaniard has found her old strength again under Conchita Martinez.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Jan 31, 2020, 08:58 am
The general conditions for the second semi-finals in the women's competition at the Australian Open were remarkable in terms of the coaching constellation: there were two capacities that had started after a break at the end of 2019, two two-time Grand Slam champions To make bits better. And at least in the second attempt. Darren Cahill's job was a little easier in the case of Simona Halep, after all, the Romanian celebrated her biggest career triumph in Wimbledon last year.
Conchita Martinez probably took on the bigger challenge with Garbine Muguruza. The Spaniard's power is second to none on the WTA tour, but so is the mental volatility. Muguruza had started the Australian Open 2020 as number 32 in the world, and it is clear before the final against Sofia Kenin that she will at least improve again to 16th place. Still modest compared to the demands of a former industry best, but after the mixed year 2019, which ended with the separation from long-term coach Sam Sumyk, an unexpected performance explosion.
Muguruza attacking Halep
Against Halep, Garbine Muguruza showed again what can make her so dangerous: she often went after her balls, did not sink all volleys to points, but had the opportunity to shorten the ball exchange with winning strikes in midsummer conditions. Certainly also an idea from Conchita Martinez, who Muguruza had already coached at their Wimbledon victory in 2017 - on behalf of Sumyk, who had fulfilled family duties.
Darren Cahill, in turn, had already won the French Open with Simona Halep, in 2018 in the final against Sloane Stephens. The former world-class professional suspended the past season as a coach, devoted himself to his family and his obligations as a TV expert. The agreement between Halep and Cahill is generally excellent, but there were also times when the coach expressed doubts about his player's 100% commitment. And then I was persuaded to come back to Halep's bank.
Kenin on the trail of Osaka and Andreescu?
Darren Cahill will now watch the women's final as a specialist for the US broadcaster ESPN, Conchita Martinez, who has just been accepted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but very close to the court looks, a recognized super coach is missing there. Father Kenin, however, has made his daughter better and better over the past few years. And recently Dinara Safina, former world number one from Russia, is watching the matches of "Sonya" up close.
The favorite role is probably more on the side of the two-time major winner from Spain. Even if Sofia Kenin won the only encounter in Beijing last autumn. And even if there were young players at the latest Grand Slam tournaments with Bianca Andreescu and before that Naomi Osaka, who were able to shock the favored veterans in the final.
Here is the individual tableau for women at the Australian Open 2020
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