2024-01-27 10:11:57
11:09
Sabalenka, the relentless conclusion of a tournament flown by
Like Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty, Aryna Sabalenka completed the Australian Open without losing a single set.
11:09
Sabalenka comme Azarenka
11:05
Back to back pour Sabalenka
11:04
Queen Sabalenka remains sovereign in Melbourne
The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka imposed her law on the Chinese surprise Qinwen Zheng. The world No. 2 retains her title. Aryna Sabalenka (seeded n°2) started with the status of favorite. Title holder, buoyed by the revenge of the last US Open (significant defeat in the final) pocketed with authority against Copco Gauff in the semi-final, she flew through the final 6-3, 6-2. The step was too high for the Chinese Qinwen Zheng who was experiencing her first Grand Slam final. The end of the dream is brutal for the Chinese who will enter the Top 10 of the world rankings this Monday.
DAVID GRAY / AFP
11:03
Double for Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2
Sabalenka leads 40-0, gives herself 3 match points, wastes the first 2 and sees in the 3rd, Zheng come and plant a very well-hit drop shot. She briefly lets her annoyance escape, offers herself a 4th missed match point with a poorly controlled backing forehand which ends in the net. Before concluding on his 4th match point. Zheng gets another break point (she hasn’t had one since the 2nd game of the 1st set). On the 5th match point obtained, the Belarusian screams. Before concluding with a cross forehand at mid-court. She offers herself a 2nd title in Melbourne. At the end of a mastered finale. And a tournament flown over.
10:55
Zheng does not give up, Sabalenka will serve for the title 6-3, 5-2
The Chinese, diligently, validates her serve and forces Sabalenka to serve for the match.
DAVID GRAY / AFP
10:50
Sabalenka wins 6-3, 5-1
The prospect of a 2nd Grand Slam title perhaps enters the mind of Sabalenka who finds herself trailing 0-30, before pulling herself together. Zheng fails to take advantage of the passing doubt. Powerful Sabalenka leads 5-1.
EDGAR SU / REUTERS
10:47
Sabalenka takes the lead 6-3, 4-1
Zheng drops a 3rd double fault in this set but does not let herself be demolished, the Chinese achieves a nice cross backhand topspin attack but breaks down once again on serve. The Chinese woman’s 6th double fault of the match opens the door for Sabalenka. The Belarusian does not let the occasion be filmed. Alternating power and finesse, it concludes with unstoppable cushioning. After the point of the match, she delivers what looks like a knockout.
DAVID GRAY / AFP
10:40
Sabalenka frustre Zheng 6-3, 3-1
Trailing 30-15, Sabalenka released a powerful serve well concluded with a smash at the net, then took the advantage in the rally and concluded her service game with a winning serve.
EDGAR SU / REUTERS
10:36
Zheng is not discouraged, Sabalenka leads 6-3, 2-1
Zheng leads 40-15 but each Sabalenka does not offer him the slightest freedom and with a lot of determination comes back to tie. The Chinese woman with her back to the wall is upset by the cries of a spectator. She manages to come back to 2-1.
TRACEY NEARMY / REUTERS
10:30
Sabalenka confirms his solo rider 6-3, 2-0
A tight game (up to 30A), then Sabalenka lets his power and experience speak to pocket his throw-in. 2-0.
TRACEY NEARMY / REUTERS
10:25
Sabalenka quickly rebounded 6-3, 1-0
3 double faults punctuate the first service game of Zheng who starts the 2nd set in the worst possible way.
ISSEI KATO / REUTERS
10:20
Sabalenka in force 6-3
Sabalenka screams her rage, displays all her power. Zheng saves a break point. But the Belarusian completes the set with a winning serve. 6-3 in 34′.
TRACEY NEARMY / REUTERS
10:16
Zheng erases 3 set points and hangs on. Sabalenka leads 5-3
A new ace and a winning service after having dismissed 3 set points, Zheng saves his serve.
CIRO DE LUCA / REUTERS
10:06
Zheng returns to 4-2
A new ace to hold his serve (49th in the tournament), Zheng returns to 4-2.
ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP
10:03
Sabalenka keeps the reins 4-1
White game for Sabalenka.
CIRO DE LUCA / REUTERS
10:02
Zheng returns to 3-1
2 aces (an area in which the Chinese excels, who dominates the ranking in the tournament) allow the Chinese to lead 3-1.
09:57
Sabalenka wins 3-0
Surprised on the first point of the game, Sabalenka then let Zheng settle into the game and enter the final. The Chinese gives herself 3 break points. Roaring, she manages to push them aside. To pocket his service game with difficulty and break away.
ELOISA LOPEZ / REUTERS
09:51
Break Sabalenka 2-0
An ace to free up a little, but unforced errors which offer Sabalenka two break points. Gaining speed Zheng finds himself with his legs cut off from the start.
DAVID GRAY / AFP
09:49
Sabalenka part fort, 1-0
2 aces, a winning move. Sabalenka pockets her white serve to start the match.
DAVID GRAY / AFP
09:28
A Slovak and a Japanese win junior titles
The Slovakian Renata Jamrichova (6-4, 6-1 against the Australian Emerson Jones) and the Japanese Rei Sakamoto (against the Czech Jan Kumstat) won the junior tournament.
09:20
The figures of the final
09:17
Advantage Sabalenka
The Belarusian won 6-1, 6-4 the only face-to-face match against the Chinese, in the quarter-finals of the last US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka.
TRACEY NEARMY / REUTERS
09:15
Their journey to Melbourne
Sabalenka has not lost a single set in 6 matches and, in the semi-finals, took revenge for the last US Open (defeat in the final) against Coco Gauff. Zheng (who will enter the Top 10 for the first time on Monday) reached the final without having eliminated a single player from the Top 50.
Qinwen Zheng. ELOISA LOPEZ / REUTERS
09:12
Hello and welcome to follow the ladies final of the Australian Open
The women’s final pitted the Chinese Qinwen Zheng (n°12) against the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (n°2), the defending champion, this Saturday morning.
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