Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka kisses the trophy to rejoice winning the ultimate against China’s Qinwen Zheng within the Australian Open 2024. REUTERS/Issei Kato
MELBOURNE–Aryna Sabalenka continued to be an irrepressible force on the Australian Open as she powered to a 6-3 6-2 victory over Chinese twelfth seed Zheng Qinwen on Saturday to successfully defend her title and add a second Grand Slam trophy to her cabinet.
The Belarusian second seed has barely put a foot incorrect at what has changed into her happiest hunting ground as she became the primary woman to retain the Melbourne Park crown since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
“It’s been a tremendous couple of weeks and I couldn’t imagine myself lifting this trophy another time,” Sabalenka said.
“I need to congratulate you Qinwen on an incredible couple of weeks here in Australia. I realize it’s really tough to lose in the ultimate but you’re such an incredible player.
“You’re such a young girl and also you’re going to make many more finals and also you’re going to get it.”
We’re who we’re due to those that support and consider in us.
Much love, @SabalenkaA!#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ckqrGibEBA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2024
Sabalenka got here into the match without dropping a set on the yr’s first major and stayed perfect to affix Ash Barty, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport within the elite club of players to have managed the feat since 2000.
She unleashed monster groundstrokes to grab the ultimate by the scruff of the neck with an early break and 1000’s of Chinese supporters and hundreds of thousands back home watched Zheng fall behind 3-0.
Sabalenka didn’t have her nation’s flags within the stands as a result of a ban over her country’s role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine however the charismatic 25-year-old has a giant Melbourne fan base and he or she rode the Rod Laver Arena support to take the primary set.
Zheng, who had saved 4 set points, showed she was slowly growing in confidence in her second meeting with Sabalenka by firing up her own big forehand amid the rallying cry of “Jia You” from her compatriots in the group.
A clean crosscourt winner earned Sabalenka a break point within the opening game of the second set and Zheng’s double fault handed it to her on a platter.
The 21-year-old first-time finalist, bidding to match her idol Li Na – the Melbourne Park champion 10 years ago and first Asian and Chinese player to win a serious – saw her hopes fade after two more errors on serve left her 4-1 down.
Sabalenka shrugged of shaky service game to shut out probably the most one-sided final since Azarenka beat Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0 in 2012 by smashing a forehand winner.
“It’s my first final and I’m feeling a little bit bit pity, but that’s the way it is,” said Zheng. “I feel very complicated because I could have done higher than I did on this match.”
