Aryna Sabalenka defends Australian open title

Australia, 

Saturday, 27 January, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Energetic Aryna Sabalenka (25) defended her Australian open title by sweeping past China's Zheng Qinwen (21) off court on Saturday. 

Sabalenka also became the first woman to defend the title in more than a decade.

The Belarusian world number two proved too powerful for the 12th seed with a 6-3, 6-2 drubbing in 76 minutes to claim her second Grand Slam crown on Rod Laver Arena.

As if it wasn't daunting enough, An Authoritative Sabalenka marched to the title without losing a set through her seven matches.

The last time the tournament witnessed a successful women's title defence was in 2013, when fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat.

"It's been an amazing couple of weeks and I couldn't imagine myself lifting this trophy one more time

I want to congratulate you Qinwen on an incredible couple of weeks here in Australia. I know it's really tough to lose in the final but you're such an incredible player.

You're such a young girl and you're going to make many more finals and you're going to get it." Sabalenka in a post - match interview. 

With her latest exploits, Sabalenka cemented her reputation as one of the game's most consistent contenders at Grand Slams, reaching at least the semi-finals in her past six majors, making three finals and winning twice.

The Belarusian opened with a comfortable serve then got a look at two break points at 15-40 in Zheng's opening service game when the Chinese star sprayed a backhand wide.

She seized the chance, attacking her opponent's second serve for the break.

Sabalenka consolidated on serve for 3-0, but only after saving three break points as Zheng's nerves settled and she worked to get into the contest.

The Chinese star finally got on the board as her serve hit its mark in game four, with two big unreturnable aces and a forehand winner giving her confidence.

But she had few answers to the booming Sabalenka serve, struggling to get the ball back over the net and into any rallies.

Zheng saved three set points with a pair of aces and a winner to hold for 3-5, but it was delaying the inevitable as Sabalenka closed out the set on serve in 33 minutes.

Three double faults, including on break point, immediately put Zheng on the back foot on the second set as the pressure took its toll.

And there was no way back as she conceded another break to slump 4-1 behind when Sabalenka prefectly played a drop shot.

Fighting on, Zheng saved four championship points before the second seed closed out the match to bank her 14th career title.

Despite the loss, it has been a breakthrough tournament for Zheng, who will move into the world's top 10 when the new rankings are released next week while Sabalenka will remain at number two behind Iga Swiatek, who crashed out in the third round.