Aryna Sabalenka has thwarted any challenge that come her way during 2024 Australian Open campaign. She is now into the final of the tournament and will face Qinwen Zheng on Saturday.
Defending champion Sabalenka reached another final in Melbourne without dropping a set and en route to the final she hammered all and sundry. Her victory against the 2023 US Open Champion Coco Gauff in semifinal on Thursday was the most anticipated match in the women’s draw. In the match there were some moments where American appeared to take control of the match but was not allowed the freedom she desperately needed. The Belarusian always found a way to solve the riddle and eventually sealed a 7-6(2), 6-4 triumph to avenge her 2023 US Open final loss.
Zheng entered the Saturday’s showpiece final with a solid 6-4, 6-4 victory over Dayana Yastremska and just dropped three sets in the tournament.
Sky Sports commentator Laura Robson believes #2 seed Sabalenka, has been no match against her rivals at the first slam of the season.
“I don’t think anyone’s come close to Aryna’s level this tournament,” Robson told Sky Sports.
“She is just hammering everyone. People are struggling to get gains against her serve and she’s returning so much freer and playing so big.”
The 25-year-old aims to become the first woman since Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to win back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park and Zheng knows the difficulty of the task that includes dealing with a mix of big serving, big forehands and big backhands.
“I’m sure the final will be really competitive, because I think Sabalenka, she’s one of the, I would say, most big hitters right now in the tour,” the Chinese 12th seed said.
“She got the most big serve, most big forehand, big backhand. She’s [a] really complete player.
“I haven’t faced big seeds all the past rounds and she will be the first one I will face. But, you know, is a match, so let’s see what gonna happen the final there.”
Sabalenka has in the past been known to drop her head when things are not going her way, but she is a different player these days as she knows how to keep her emotions in check.
“I think I’m pretty calm inside like I am outside,” she explained. “I’m defending champion but, worst case, I’m going to lose this tournament and it’s less points to defend next year. That’s helping me to just stay focused and just try your best in each match without thinking about defending something.”