The Australian Open women’s division witnessed a couple of upsets before it threw up a brand new winner. But Sofia’s victory was almost expected after her gritty performance in the semis-final showdown against world number one Ashleigh Barty (“Kenin overpowers Muguruza to claim maiden major at Oz Open,” Feb.2, Gulf Today).

That she made it to the final is an achievement for the American who earlier had never made it past the fourth round of a Grand Slam event. Sofia now moves to seventh spot and usurps Serena Williams as America’s number one.

The other highlight of her career is that she has been on the WTA Tour for only the last two years and was ranked 48th in 2018, before breaking into the top 15 last year. Way to go, Sofia.

Carmen R
By email