{"id":379480,"date":"2026-01-20T02:31:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/379480\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T02:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T02:31:09","slug":"australian-open-peyton-stearns-upsets-sofia-kenin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/379480\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Open: Peyton Stearns upsets Sofia Kenin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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American tennis player Peyton Stearns had an unusual request from a fan at the Australian Open<\/a> as she went on to upset No. 27 Sofia Kenin in straight sets on Monday, 6-3, 6-2.<\/p>\n

Stearns wrote on social media that she wanted the fan who “barked” at her to do it again when she takes on Croatia\u2019s Petra Marcinko in the second round.<\/p>\n

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\"Peyton <\/p>\n

Peyton Stearns reacts during her match against Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Aaron Favila)<\/p>\n

“Whoever barked at me during my match today, please keep it up for the next round,” she wrote on X.<\/p>\n

The barking may have been motivation for Stearns, 24, who is only making her third Australian Open appearance. She had 15 aces and was 3-of-7 on break points against Kenin.<\/p>\n

Kenin had four double faults<\/a> and couldn\u2019t seem to find a rhythm to outduel Stearns.<\/p>\n

VENUS WILLIAMS SET TO BECOME OLDEST WOMAN IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN MAIN DRAW WITH WILD-CARD ENTRY<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sofia <\/p>\n

Sofia Kenin plays a forehand return to Peyton Stearns at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Aaron Favila)<\/p>\n

Stearns made her Women\u2019s Tennis Association debut in 2021 at the Silicon Valley Classic as an alternate into the doubles draw. A year later, she was a wildcard entry in the U.S. Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stearns has one WTA title in her career. She won five tournaments on the International Tennis Federation circuit and finished runner-up four times.<\/p>\n

\"Peyton <\/p>\n

Peyton Stearns plays a forehand return at the Australian Open, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Aaron Favila)<\/p>\n

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At the Australian Open in the last two years, Stearns has only made it to the first round. She lost to Emma Navarro last year and Daria Kasatkina in 2024.<\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s\u00a0sports coverage on X<\/a> and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n