Wakana Sonobe conquers the Australian Open junior girls’ singles champion

Wakana Sonobe won the Australian Open junior girls' singles title, becoming the first Japanese player to achieve this feat. Sonobe dominated her final match against Kristina Penickova, securing the championship with powerful backhands and break point conversion. Sonobe's victory sets a new standard for Japanese tennis.

By
Mark Hall
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Wakana Sonobe

Wakana Sonobe made history by winning the Australian Open junior girls’ singles title, becoming the first Japanese player to achieve this feat. The fourth-seeded Sonobe dominated her final match against sixth-seeded Kristina Penickova of the United States, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 in just 54 minutes.

Sonobe’s victory marks a significant milestone for Japanese tennis, as she is also the first Japanese player to win any Junior Grand Slam girls’ singles title since Kazuko Sawamatsu in 1969. Throughout the tournament, Sonobe displayed remarkable consistency, not dropping a single set until the final.

In the final, Sonobe’s powerful backhands and excellent break point conversion were key to her success. She broke Penickova three times in the first set and saved three break points in the second game of the match. Penickova managed to hold serve once, but Sonobe quickly regained control and secured the championship with a winning volley on her first championship point.

Sonobe’s journey to the title was not without challenges. She faced a tough first-round match against Chinese qualifier Zhang Ruien, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (8). However, once past the initial hurdle, Sonobe sailed through the tournament with ease.

This victory is a testament to Sonobe’s hard work and dedication to the sport. At just 17 years old, she has already shown great potential and is expected to be a rising star in the world of tennis. With this win, Sonobe has set a new standard for Japanese tennis and inspired many young players in her home country.