Sofia Kenin’s dream of winning a second Australian Open Women’s Singles was ended on Monday, as she lost to compatriot Peyton Stearns.
The American player, seeded 27th at the 2026 Australian Open, was defeated 6-3, 6-2 by unseeded Peyton Stearns.
It was a disappointing loss for the American, who has won only one of her four matches to start 2026.
Kenin famously won the 2020 title, but was unable to replicate her success at this year’s event, struggling to get out of first gear against Stearns.
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Credit: Sofascore
Sofia Kenin’s poor record since winning the Australian Open
Remarkably, Sofia Kenin has a relatively poor record in Melbourne, despite winning the 2020 title. Aside from her 2020 title run, Kenin has won only two matches in seven attempts in Melbourne.
Since winning the 2020 title, Kenin’s only victory at the event came in 2021, when she defeated wildcard Maddison Inglis in the first round.
Kenin has gone on to lose five consecutive first round matches at the Australian Open between 2022 and 2026.
Kenin struggled for form after winning the 2020 Australian Open title, battling numerous injury issues during their period. The American fought her way back to the top after falling to 426 in the world and will hope to bounce back quickly following her loss on Monday.
On Monday, Kenin struggled to impose her will against Stearns, serving only one ace compared to Stearns’ 15.
Stearns also won 86 per cent of her first serve points and 63 per cent of her second serve points.
Comparatively, Kenin won 65 and 53 per cent of her first and second serve points, respectively.
Sofia Kenin’s run to the 2020 Australian Open title
The WTA star produced a marvellous run to win the 2020 Australian Open.
Kenin, seeded 14th, began by defeating Martina Trevisan, Ann Li and Zhang Shuai; setting up a clash against Coco Gauff.
Kenin defeated Gauff 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, before defeating future Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur in straight sets.
In the semi-finals, Kenin stunned top seed Ashleigh Barty: 7-6, 7-5.
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In the championship match, Kenin overcame Garbine Muguruza’s resistance, defeating the Spaniard 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Kenin reached the French Open final four months later, but lost to Iga Swiatek in the final.
