Chronicle of an announced coronation. 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 Coco Gauff in the semi-final, she flew through the final 6-3, 6-2 in 1h16. 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.
6 aces (but 6 double faults), 16 unforced errors, Qinwen Zheng was never able to derail the metronome Aryna Sabalenka. It was at the moment of conclusion that the Belarusian experienced her most delicate moment in a one-sided final. She had to wait for her 5th match point to release a smile and savor her second major title.
During the speech, Aryna Sabalenka, with a smile, underlined the work done by her team, recalling the starting point of the reconquest, the bitter defeat in the final in Brisbane against Elena Rybakina (6-0, 6-3). “I put pressure on them after the Brisbane final. We did better in this final…”
3 aces, 14 winning points, Aryna Sabalenka flew through the match without adding any more. His mastery and experience made the difference. The Belarusian, like Lindsey Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty (a great line-up of champions) concluded the Australian Open without having lost a single set. Aryna Sabalenka has only dropped 31 games in 7 matches… And with this controlled double, she succeeds Victoria Azarenka (titled in Melbourne in 2012, 2013), the last player to have won two titles.
At 25 years old, the world No. 2 shows remarkable consistency. His constantly evolving game, the constant questioning and the considerable work done (on a physical and mental level) must allow him to flourish. She has already reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the final at the US Open, has already occupied the world No. 1 spot. Ambitious, she can continue to think big and share with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and others a beautiful page in women’s tennis.
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