Aryna Sabalenka Defends Australian Open Title in Dominant ...

Aryna Sabalenka has defended her Australian Open title after the second seed won 6-3 6-2 to claim her second Grand Slam singles trophy without dropping a set, completing her victory in little over an hour at Melbourne Park in Australia, on Saturday, 27 February, 2024.

“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks and I couldn’t imagine myself lifting this trophy one more time,” the 25-year-old said on court afterwards. 

“It’s an unbelievable feeling right now and I’m really speechless and as always, my speech is going to be weird. It’s not my superpower but I’ll try my best.” 2024 Australian Open Champion, Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka, the first woman to secure back-to-back since Victoria Azarenka in 2013, sent a message to those who doubted her capabilities to defend her Melbourne title, her second Grand Slam trophy.

Grand Slam final debutant Zheng was hoping to become the first Chinese Grand Slam winner since Li Na in 2014. Photo: Aryna Sabalenka on Instagram Aryna Sabalenka beat Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, completing her 6-3 6-2 victory in little over an hour. Photo: Aryna Sabalenka on Instagram

The world No.2 won 84% of first serve points and saved each of the four break points she faced with the most dominant performance in an AO women’s singles final since Azarenka dropped just three games against Maria Sharapova in 2012.

The Belarusian produced a dominant display and unleashed her supply of powerful groundstrokes from the very start, completely overwhelming the No. 12 seed who was playing in her first major final. 

By sealing victory with such a dominant display, she also becomes the first woman since Serena Williams in 2007 to win the Australian Open final without dropping a single service game.

Zheng was chasing her own piece of glory by winning the first slam of the year and hoped to become the first Chinese winner since the 2014 edition when Li Na was crowned China’s first Gland Slam champion. 

Then, Zheng was 11 years old, watching this memorable moment in Chinese history on TV with her friends. 

Completely overwhelmed by the occasion, Queen Wen, as she’s affectionally called by her supporters had not faced an opponent ranked inside the top 50 in her race to the final.

“It’s my first final and I’m feeling a little bit [of] pity but it was a good experience at the same time. I feel complicated because I could have done better but I didn’t in this match.” 2024 Australian Open Silver Medalist, Qinwen Zheng

Zheng should be proud of her performance in her maiden slam final, her fight in Melbourne Park ensures that she will rise to world No. 7, making her debut in the top 10 of the rankings.

Sabalenka congratulated and assured the 21-year-old that she’ll certainly clinch a major of her own.

“I know this feeling, 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 be in many more finals and you’re going to get it,” Sabalenka said.

Main Photo Caption: Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open title after defeating Qinwen Zheng in a masterful performance in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday, 27 February, 2024.  Photo: Aryna Sabalenka on Instagram

Photo 2 Caption: Grand Slam final debutant Zheng was hoping to become the first Chinese Grand Slam winner since Li Na in 2014.  Photo: Aryna Sabalenka on Instagram

Photo 3 Caption: Belorussia’s Aryna Sabalenka beat Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, completing her 6-3 6-2 victory in little over an hour. Photo: Aryna Sabalenka on Instagram