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AN AUTHORITATIVE ARYNA Sabalenka blew China’s Zheng Qinwen off court on Saturday to successfully defend her Australian Open title – the first woman to do so in more than a decade.
The Belarusian world number two proved too powerful for the 12th seed with a 6-3, 6-2 drubbing in 76 minutes to claim her second Grand Slam crown on Rod Laver Arena.
It capped an incredible display of power and poise from Sabalenka over the past fortnight, with the 25-year-old surging to the title without losing a set through her seven matches.
The last time the tournament witnessed a successful women’s title defence was in 2013, when fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat.
With her latest exploits, Sabalenka cemented her reputation as one of the game’s most consistent contenders at Grand Slams, reaching at least the semi-finals in her past six majors, making three finals and winning twice.
“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks. I couldn’t imagine myself lifting this trophy one more time and it’s an unbelievable feeling right now. I’m really speechless,” she said.
Sabalenka also had words of encouragement for Zheng.
“I know this feeling – it is tough to lose in a final but you are such an incredible player, such a young girl. You are going to be in many more finals and you are going to get it,” she said.
In vivid red, she overwhelmed Zheng with her crushing groundstrokes deep into both corners and a consistently reliable serve.
Zheng had reached her first Grand Slam final without meeting a seed after a host of players crashed out early on her side of the draw, and the gulf in class was exposed.
“It’s my first final and I’m feeling a little bit of pity,” said Zheng. “I feel very complicated because I feel like I could’ve done it better.
“But I really enjoyed playing in this Australian Open, it’s an amazing memory for me. I’m sure there is going to be more and better in the future.”
The Belarusian opened with a comfortable serve then got a look at two break points at 15-40 in Zheng’s opening service game when the Chinese star sprayed a backhand wide.
She seized the chance, attacking her opponent’s second serve for the break.
Sabalenka consolidated on serve for 3-0, but only after saving three break points as Zheng’s nerves settled and she worked to get into the contest.
The Chinese star finally got on the board as her serve hit its mark in game four, with two big unreturnable aces and a forehand winner giving her confidence.
But she had few answers to the booming Sabalenka serve, struggling to get the ball back over the net and into any rallies.
Zheng saved three set points with a pair of aces and a winner to hold for 3-5, but it was delaying the inevitable as Sabalenka closed out the set on serve in 33 minutes.
Three double faults, including on break point, immediately put Zheng on the back foot on the second set as the pressure took its toll.
And there was no way back as she conceded another break to slump 4-1 behind when Sabalenka prefectly played a drop shot.
Fighting until the end, Zheng saved four championship points before the second seed closed out the match to bank her 14th career title.
Despite the loss, it has been a breakthrough tournament for Zheng, who will move into the world’s top 10 when the new rankings are released next week.
Sabalenka will remain at number two behind Iga Swiatek, who crashed out in the third round.
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Stand by for tons of comments from smug, self important atheists ridiculing the Filipinos.
Stand by for the inevitable smug comment slamming the atheists comments.
So bloody predictable.
You just got to see the comical side of millions of people running after a piece if wood in excessive temperatures.
Whatever turns you on.
@Joe, the reason they seem ‘smug’ is because all the evidence is on their side.
It’s the same way a physicist feels ‘smug’ about some mathematical equations to send a ship to the moon…because they firmly believe the facts are with them.
Of course, they could just launch a rocket and pray….
Or, the billions of people chasing after paper.
Queuing to see Michael Jackson relics at Newbridge Silverware good queuing to see Catholic relic ………..
I bet you guys called Copernicus and Gallillio Gallilei smug too just because they had a problem with believing stuff without any evidence whatsoever.
I guess, when you have little hope to address the core of the argument with coherent points, you’re left with name calling.
Black Friday?
Ah Joe,I see what you tried to do there,with your attempt to incorporate subtle racial connotations,which in fact proves you know little or nothing about atheism.
Superstition. Hope one day they have the education to see through it
I feel sorry for these people and how they have been colonised and continue to be exploited by westerners. A pushed belief in a better afterlife is a great way of keeping the indentured slaves happy.
Rip Jesus xx
@Joe, why is an atheist seen as smug, or self important? When you have millions of people scrambling to touch a wooden statue thinking it has powers it questions many things, doesn’t the bible mention not to worship false idols, and since the main population changed to Catholicism 400 years ago, did the previous religion not work?
Faith is seen as a virtue, but I won’t apologise for looking for fact, if you see that as smug then so be it. I am not laughing at those people but sad to see that many believe is superstition in the age we live in.
Because of Eamon Gilmore he ruined it for all atheists
Could not agree more, Graham
‘Scenes reminiscent of a rock concert mosh pit’. I was at a jesus and mary chain gig at the national, kilburn. It got so rough and abusive at the front they left the stage for their own safety! Music eventually broke out but we continued to smash the shit out of each other.
Now that’s where I found religion.
Halcyon days…..
Science, b!tches!
Thoughts and, er, prayers to his family at this tough time. Xx.
Sure they’re only having the craic nothing to see here at all.
All I am thinking about is oh my goodness all them people and I for one could not be there crowds like that no thank you just looking at them gives me a panic attack. As for what anyone believes in it’s down to them I am not judging anyone.
have your say