Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka reacts through the ultimate in opposition to China’s Qinwen Zheng on the Australian Open 2024 championship in Melbourne on January 27, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
An authoritative Aryna Sabalenka blew China’s Zheng Qinwen off courtroom on Saturday to efficiently defend her Australian Open title — the first woman to accomplish that in greater than a decade.
The Belarusian world quantity two proved too highly effective for the twelfth seed with a 6-3, 6-2 drubbing in 76 minutes to declare her second Grand Slam crown on Rod Laver Arena.
It capped an unimaginable show of energy and poise from Sabalenka over the previous fortnight, with the 25-year-old surging to the title with out dropping a set by means of her seven matches.
The final time the event witnessed a profitable ladies’s title defence was in 2013, when fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat.
With her newest exploits, Sabalenka cemented her popularity as one of many recreation’s most constant contenders at Grand Slams, reaching at the very least the semi-finals in her previous six majors, making three finals and successful twice.
In vivid crimson, she overwhelmed Zheng along with her crushing groundstrokes deep into each corners and a constantly dependable serve.
Zheng had reached her first Grand Slam ultimate with out assembly a seed after a host of gamers crashed out early on her aspect of the draw, and the gulf in class was rapidly uncovered.
The Belarusian opened with a snug serve then bought a have a look at two break factors at 15-40 in Zheng’s opening service recreation when the Chinese star sprayed a backhand large.
She seized the prospect, attacking her opponent’s second serve for the break.
Sabalenka consolidated on serve for 3-0, however solely after saving three break factors as Zheng’s nerves settled and she or he labored to get into the competition.
The Chinese star lastly bought on the board as her serve hit its mark in recreation 4, with two massive unreturnable aces and a forehand winner giving her confidence.
But she had few solutions to the booming Sabalenka serve, struggling to get the ball again over the web and into any rallies.
Zheng saved three set factors with a pair of aces and a winner to maintain for 3-5, nevertheless it was delaying the inevitable as Sabalenka closed out the set on serve in 33 minutes.
Three double faults, together with on break level, instantly put Zheng on the again foot on the second set because the strain took its toll.
And there was no manner again as she conceded one other break to hunch 4-1 behind when Sabalenka prefectly performed a drop shot.
Fighting till the top, Zheng saved 4 championship factors earlier than the second seed closed out the match to financial institution her 14th profession title.
Despite the loss, it has been a breakthrough event for Zheng, who will transfer into the world’s high 10 when the brand new rankings are launched subsequent week.
Sabalenka will stay at quantity two behind Iga Swiatek, who crashed out in the third spherical.
