Sabalenka and Zheng progress to historic decider
ARYNA Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng are the Women’s Singles Finalists at the 2024 Australian Open 2024, after they won their respective semi-finals yesterday.
Sabalenka was the first to progress through after she defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets.
After winning the first set in a tie breaker, Sabalenka had things a little easier in the second to take the match 7-6, 6-4 and reverse the result of the last time these two met.
Gauff won the aces count, but also served six more double faults than Sabalenka did. However, crucially for Sabalenka she had the higher percentage for first serve in and wins off first and second serve.
Reflecting on being reigning champion and winning her first major title a year ago, Sabalenka said that “I would say emotionally I’ll be… very ready to fight, not going crazy,” Sabalenka said.
“Because when you play first final you get emotional and rushing things sometimes. When you’re third time in the finals, you’re, like, ‘okay, it’s a final, it’s okay’.
“It’s just another match, and you’re able to separate yourself from that thing. Just focus on your game. That’s it, actually… I’m defending champion, but worst case, I’m, like, ‘okay, I’m gonna lose this tournament, and it’s less points to defend next year’.
“That’s kind of like helping me to just stay focused and just try your best in each match without thinking about defending something.”
ZHENG MAKES HISTORY
Sabalenka was joined in the final later in the evening by Zheng, who progressed to her first Grand Slam Final by ending the breakthrough tournament of Dayana Yastremska.
On the 10th anniversary of Li Na’s progression to the final, Yastremska put up a fair fight, but in the end was no match for Zheng, with the Chinese 12th seed ultimately winning 6-4, 6-4.
Zheng served more aces than Yastremska did, and also served less double faults. Crucially for Zheng, she also had the higher percentage for first serve in and wins off first and second serve.
Speaking post match, Zheng said that “It feels unbelievable”.
“I’m super-excited to have such a great performance today and arrive in the final. That’s my dream since I was a kid.”
“Can’t be more special than here in Australian Open,” she smiled. “I’m really happy, but I know there is still another fight to go.”
RESULTS:
2024 Australian Open – Day 12
[2] A. Sabalenka def. [4] C.Gauff 7-6, 6-4
[12] Q. Zheng def. D. Yastremska 6-4, 6-4
Sinner finds way to heaven in Aus Open comeback
IT looked bleak for the best part of two and a half sets, but Italian fourth seed Jannik Sinner never gave in, and forced his way back from a two sets to love deficit to knock off third seed Daniil Medvedev and win his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last night. In […]
Straight sets Sabalenka does it again to claim crown
BELARUSIAN world number two Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open singles title last night, going back-to-back after a comprehensive 6-3 6-2 victory over 12th seed, Qinwen Zheng. In a performance that capped off her overall two weeks at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka did not look like dropping a set, instead securing her second crown in […]
Jamrichova completes dream Aus Open with title
SLOVAKIAN young gun Renata Jamrichova lived up to her top seed billing by taking home the 2024 Australian Open Junior Girls Singles crown. The 16-year-old proved too strong and consistent for local hope and sixth seed Emerson Jones, running out a 6-4 6-1 victory on Rod Laver Arena today. After a tight opening set that […]
Sinner stuns deflated Djoker in Aus Open upset
DESPITE the respective formlines during the Australian Open suggesting an upset could be on the cards, few could believe what had taken place after just 73 minutes on court yesterday afternoon. The greatest Australian Open champion of all time – Novak Djokovic – gunning for his 11th title won just three games in two sets […]
Junior Jones aims to emulate Barty Party
MELBOURNE Park might well reach fever pitch today when Australian Emerson Jones takes to Rod Laver Arena for the Junior Girls Singles final. The 15-year-old is the first Aussie girl to reach a Junior Grand Slam final since former world number one Ash Barty and the comparisons do not end there. The Queensland teenager took […]
Sabalenka and Zheng progress to historic decider
ARYNA Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng are the Women’s Singles Finalists at the 2024 Australian Open 2024, after they won their respective semi-finals yesterday. Sabalenka was the first to progress through after she defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets. After winning the first set in a tie breaker, Sabalenka had things a little easier in the […]
Money for Jam(richova) in Aus Open blitz
SLOVAKIAN top seed Renata Jamrichova continued her blitz of the Australian Open Junior Girls singles draw with another rout, this time a 51-minute win in the quarter finals. Jamrichova made light work of French wildcard Ksenia Efremova, running out a 6-2 6-1 winner in impressive fashion. The 16-year-old has far been the most impressive of […]
Daniil digs deep to outlast Hurkacz
IT was a battle of epic proportions, but third seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev earned his place in the Australian Open semi-final with a five-set victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in three hours and 59 minutes. In a see-sawing match that was entertaining from the get-go, both players showed off their contrasting traits to get the […]
Two history makers make first Aus Open semis
DAYANA Yastremska has made her first ever Australian Open singles semi final, after she defeated Linda Noskova in yesterday quarter final. In about 80 mins, Yastremska proved too strong for Noskova, ending the impressive run of the Czech in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to become the first qualifier since Christine Dorey in 1978 to make […]
