From the moment her title defence began two weeks ago, Aryna Sabalenka has been ready. Not only has her shot-making been utterly devastating, but she has shown significant emotional maturity by shrugging off the pressure of defending her first grand slam title after an incredible 12 months, only focusing on the very next point.
It has been clear throughout that Sabalenka has been playing at a higher level than her challengers, but she still had to hold her nerve under the heightened pressure of a major final. She closed her title defence with relentless efficiency, brutally overpowering Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 to win her second grand slam title.
After an incredible breakout year where she rose to the summit, a sophomore slump appears highly unlikely. Sabalenka is the second woman in the Open Era to win her first two slam titles at the Australian Open, following Victoria Azarenka, her Belarusian compatriot, in 2012 and 2013.
“I’ve been under [a] little pressure these two weeks and I’m super happy that I was able to handle this pressure and compete on such high level,” she said. “It’s a special feeling and it’s really tough to explain how incredible it is.”
This time, she tore through the draw without dropping a set as only Coco Gauff, who fell 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the semi-finals, won more than three games. Her count of 31 games conceded is second only to Ash Barty for fewest games lost en route to an Australian Open title this century.
Most importantly, Sabalenka has further underlined her intentions and ability to continue stacking up titles. The 25-year-old plays high octane, attacking tennis, but it is incredible how consistent she is across all surfaces and conditions. In her past six grand slam tournaments, Sabalenka has finished with two titles, while making a final and three semi-finals.
For all of Sabalenka’s deep slam runs last year, far too many ended with a mental collapse. The ease with which she dealt with the pressure here, particularly after upsets to many of her biggest rivals, may well set the tone for the rest of the year. She cited her loss in the US Open final to Gauff after leading by a set as a significant lesson.
“I’m definitely a different person and a player,” she said. “I have more experience playing last stages of the grand slams, and I had this really sad moment for me in the US Open. There was some tough moments for me, losing the final.
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“That loss motivated me so much to work even harder and to improve my game, so next time I play in the final I’m more confident in my game and I have more belief in myself.”
The match was briefly interrupted by protesters expressing support for Palestinian people. At 6-3, 2-0 to Sabalenka, two protesters unfurled a Palestine flag and chanted “Free Gaza” before they were escorted out of the arena by security. It was the third protest here this year.
The Australian Open frequently styles itself as the Asia-Pacific grand slam tournament and the early stages of the encounter underlined why. Zheng clearly had the audience behind her and large groups of Chinese fans in Rod Laver Arena made their presence felt from the beginning with loud cries of “jiayou”, which roughly translates as “C’mon”. However, there would be very little for them to cheer.
Sabalenka’s fierceness sharply contrasts with her carefree attitude away from the heat of battle. Before the final, she distracted herself from the big occasion by signing her autograph on the head of her bald fitness coach, then placing a drinks bottle on his head and roundhouse kicking it off.
She and her team kept the mood lighthearted and she was relaxed as she stepped on to the court. Sabalenka burst into the match striking the ball with raw power as she broke serve and established a 3-0 lead.
As the first set unfolded, Sabalenka’s unwavering power, depth and precision rushed and overwhelmed Zheng, who prefers slower conditions that allow her more time to set up her strokes. While Zheng played well to keep hold of her serve from then on, she never troubled the Sabalenka serve.
Having occupied the half of the draw where the top seeds were blown away, Zheng reached her first grand slam final without defeating a player in the world’s top 50. Nothing prepared her for the pressure Sabalenka imposed on her and the feeling of being overwhelmed, having to constantly scramble on the back foot immediately in rallies.
Despite how well she had served in the second half of the opening set, the pressure on Zheng was reflected in her three double-faults in the opening game of the second as she meekly handed over the break. From there, Sabalenka opened up her shoulders and relaxed even more as, one brutal, bludgeoned shot at a time, she continued to establish herself as one of the best of her era.
