Aryna Sabalenka Retains Australian Open Crown, Zheng Qinwen Falls in Straight Sets
Melbourne, Australia—World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka produced a dominant performance to secure her second consecutive Australian Open title, defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 in the women’s final on Saturday.
The Belarusian star displayed unwavering focus and relentless aggression throughout the match, securing the victory in just 1 hour and 16 minutes. Sabalenka’s triumph marks her second Grand Slam title and cements her position as one of the world’s premier hard-court players. She has now won 12 of her 14 career titles on hard courts, including both of her Grand Slam victories in Melbourne.
Sabalenka’s Commanding Performance
The defending champion wasted no time in asserting her dominance, breaking Zheng’s serve three times in the opening set. Zheng, playing in her first Grand Slam final, struggled to find her rhythm and was unable to convert any of the three break point opportunities she earned.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Sabalenka breaking Zheng’s serve in the first game. Zheng briefly showed signs of a comeback, holding serve and breaking back to level the score at 2-2. However, Sabalenka quickly regained control of the match, breaking Zheng’s serve twice more to seal the victory.
Sabalenka’s victory was characterized by her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes. She won 78% of her first-serve points and hit 26 winners, compared to Zheng’s 12.
Sabalenka’s Post-Match Reflections
In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka expressed her delight at winning her second Australian Open title and emphasized the importance of proving that her first Grand Slam victory was not a fluke. She also acknowledged the improvements she has made in her mental game, which she believes has helped her perform consistently at the highest level.
“[Zheng is] a great player and very tough opponent. I’m super happy that I was able to get this win today,” Sabalenka said. “I wanted to show that I’m able to be consistently there and I’m able to win another [Grand Slam]. I really hope that [I can win] more than two right now, but for me was really important.”
“It’s been in my mind that I didn’t want to be that player who wins [one] and then disappears,” she added.
Zheng Qinwen’s Graceful Defeat
Zheng, meanwhile, was gracious in defeat and praised Sabalenka’s performance. She admitted to feeling the pressure in her first Grand Slam final but vowed to learn from the experience and come back stronger.
“I think the difference is the beginning. I [couldn’t] hold the service game,” Zheng said. “Then later on, when I got the chance to break her 40-love up and I’m not able to make it. That little moment makes the match so different. If you don’t take this chance, the match [gets] away really fast. She’s a really aggressive player. If you let a chance go, it will happen like today.”
“I have to work more on my tennis, also work more on my mental side, work more on myself to be able to through this moment,” she added.
Sabalenka’s Continued Dominance
With the victory, Sabalenka retains her No. 2 ranking in the world, while Zheng rises to a career-high No. 7.
Sabalenka’s victory in Melbourne further solidifies her status as one of the most dominant players on the WTA Tour. She has now won three of the last four Grand Slams and is a strong contender for more major titles in the future.
Call to Action
Stay tuned for more updates on the Australian Open and other Grand Slam tournaments throughout the year. Follow us on social media for the latest news and analysis from the world of tennis.