Kenin spoils
Australian party with defeat of world No 1Muguruza overcomes Halep in gruelling court battleIf tennis were a movie, the script would be ripped up on an almost daily basis. At the start of the 2020
Australian Open,
Serena Williams was supposed to tear through the draw and win her 24th major to equal the all-time record of Margaret Court. The
American left after three matches; the Australian, for better or worse, lingered into the second week, honoured then attacked, but still standing.
The final was scheduled to pitch the current world No 1, Ashleigh Barty, against Simona Halep, who once topped the rankings and who has played with such irresistible brilliance during the fortnight it was tempting to etch her name on the trophy before they even stepped on to Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night. Neither of them have made it.