Kenin battles nerves in first defence of Grand Slam title


FILE PHOTO: Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - October 10, 2020. Sofia Kenin of the U.S. looks dejected after losing the final against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

(Reuters) - American Sofia Kenin has proved she is no flash in the pan following her maiden Grand Slam triumph at last year's Australian Open but the prospect of defending that title has got the world number four's nerves jangling.

Kenin, 22, defeated world number one Ash Barty in front of her home crowd in the semi-finals en route to the title at Melbourne Park and then won in Lyon to climb to her career-best ranking of fourth.

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