Picture Credit: X
World number two ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus outclassed her Chinese opponent Quiwen Zheng to win her second consecutive Australian Open title. The Belarusian beat Zheng in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to claim her second AO24 title.
The 25-year-old displayed sheer dominance at the Melbourne Park to continue her reign at the Australian Open after earlier winning it in 2023. Sabalenka who entered the final after beating top ranked American Coco Gauff in the semifinal 7-6, 6-4 and B. Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinal respectively.
Moreover, the second-seeded became the first player to successfully defend the Australian Open title and register first major title in women’s singles after Victoria Azarenka in 2013. Additionally, she now becomes the fifth woman to win the Australian Open without dropping a set after Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Ash Barty.
On the other hand, Zheng, who featured in her maiden Grand Slam final cruised into the final after wins over O. Dodin and A. Kalinskaya in the quarterfinal and the semifinal respectively.
Sabalenka continues her trend; signs trainer’s head
The Belarusian continued her trend as she signed her fitness trainer’s head ahead of the grand finale in Melbourne. It is to be noted that Sabalenka did the same ahead of her final match against Zheng on Saturday, January 27.
Speaking of this move, the Belarusian had earlier explained, “Somehow I decided to start drawing my signature on his head. I did it before the first match. Now it’s a routine. Everytime, he’s not super happy that I’m going to do it.”
“He’s like, ‘Okay, anything for the win’. I’m like, ‘Thank You’,” Sabalenka had said after her win over Barbora Krejcikova on the quarterfinal.
