Sabalenka and Zheng to meet in Australian decider of fire and ice
ARYNA SABALENKA blazed away and Qinwen Zheng kept her cool to set up a women’s final of fire and ice at the Australian Open tomorrow morning. Sabalenka, the world No2, shattered the defences of Coco Gauff to win a high-quality match 7-6, 6-4. The 25-year-old is yet to drop a set as she defends her title. Standing in her way is China’s Zheng, who held firm in the face of a groundstroke barrage from Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska to prevail 6-4, 6-4. The 21-year-old is into her first Grand Slam final, 10 years after compatriot and idol Li Na won in Melbourne.
Yastremska began in qualifying and the nine matches she has played finally took their toll as she struggled with an abdominal injury. After a sixminute medical timeout she came back swinging, but Zheng played with poise and precision.
Impressive as Zheng’s run has been, the highest-ranked player she has faced was Britain’s Katie Boulter. The step up in class to face Sabalenka is huge.
Since reworking her serve at the end of 2022, the Belarusian has made the semi-final or better in each of the five majors.
In beating Gauff, she avenged her defeat in last year’s US Open final and theirs is developing into an absorbing rivalry. The American operates in a bubble of peaceful composure, while the emotions of triumph and frustration are etched on to Sabalenka’s face.
She said: ‘In New York I played a little bit passive. I did not put so much pressure on her. The whole pre-season I was working on those approach shots, on coming to the net and finishing the point at the net. I’m super happy I was able to do that.’
Women’s final: tomorrow 8.30am LIVE on Eurosport 1.