MELBOURNE: Qinwen Zheng is a problem solver in the mould of one who breaks it down before putting it together. An artist, who loves the lines. The 21-year-old Chinese, in her maiden Grand Slam final, has sparked the happy vibe of the Australian Open.
Talking about her opponent in the final, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, the 12th seed said the world No. 2 was a complete player.
"I would say, most big hitter in the tour right now. She got the most-big serve, most big forehand, big backhand," Zheng said. Just as well that the backhand isn't 'most big'.
Zheng, from Shiyan in northwestern Hubei, is 5 ft 10 and is happy to karaoke in three languages - English, Spanish and Chinese.
"I haven't faced a big seed in the tournament yet, she's the first one I will face," Zheng said. "But it is a match, so let's see what is gonna happen."
Sabalenka and Zheng practiced together before the start of the tournament. They've played once before, in the US Open in quarterfinals four months ago, and the 25-year-old triumphed in straight sets.
The title match promises to be an explosive contest, both players will look for openings.
Zheng, in her maiden Grand Slam final, said this has been her dream all her life. Her face mirrored the ecstasy.
"My dream is not just (making) the final," she told the media. "I'm almost there, but I know this little distance, still far away."
Zheng, who reached the final at Melbourne Park on the 10-year anniversary of Chinese legend Li Na winning the Australian Open, has been chatting with the superstar who is here.
"She told me, 'don't think too much. Just go for it'," Zheng said. Sabalenka might want to pay attention, it sounds like a warning.
RESULTS
Men's singles semifinals
Jannik Sinner (ITA x4) bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3; Daniil Medvedev (RUS x3) bt Alexander Zverev (GER x6) 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3
Mixed doubles Final
Hsieh Su-wei (TPE)/Jan Zielinski (POL) bt Desirae Krawczyk (USA)/Neal Skupski (GBR) 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 11-9
