Aryna Sabalenka has efficiently defended her title because the Australian Open champion. On Saturday, Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng, 6-3, 6-2, within the girls’s last to win the event for the second consecutive 12 months.
The match opened with Sabalenka profitable eight of the primary 9 factors, and that was an indication for a way the remainder of the championship would go. Sabalenka’s energy usually proved an excessive amount of for Zheng to beat, and that basically confirmed because the match progressed.
Sabalenka was in management for a lot of the match, and he or she was in a position to hold Zheng on her heels and at arm’s size the whole time. When some extent went past the primary serve, Sabalenka not often misplaced, which was a testomony to the mixture of energy and precision she displayed all through the whole event.
In her victory speech, a lighthearted Sabalenka spoke about an “wonderful two weeks” in Australia and joked round along with her coach and coaching employees.
“Thanks a lot for being by my aspect it doesn’t matter what,” mentioned Sabalenka, 25. “With out you, I would not have the ability to obtain a lot on this sport. … With out me, you would not be so good as effectively, so let’s face that truth.”
After making it two in a row on the Australian Open, Sabalenka’s thoughts instantly went to a three-peat in 2025.
“I like you a lot, and I am unable to wait to come back again,” Sabalenka mentioned, trailing off as she hugged the trophy and crossed her fingers.
Zheng was in a position to dangle round in with some good serves within the first set, however that space of her recreation was feast or famine on Saturday. When Zheng wasn’t hitting aces, it was Sabalenka’s level to win. Even worse, Zheng made some expensive unforced errors with 5 double faults within the match.
After the primary Grand Slam last of her profession, Zheng mentioned she had “very sophisticated” emotions about her efficiency. Regardless of the end result towards Sabalenka, the 21-year-old Zheng is hopeful that she is going to get extra alternatives like this sooner or later. “It was a tremendous reminiscence for me,” she mentioned. “I am positive there’s going to be extra and higher sooner or later.”
This dominant displaying from Sabalenka within the last actually sums up her efficiency on this event over the past two years. She has now gained 14 straight matches within the Australian Open, and he or she did not even lose a single set this 12 months. Now, Sabalenka will set her sights on one other Grand Slam win on the French Open in only a few months.
