Aryna Sabalenka Secures Back-to-Back Australian Open Titles with Dominant Performance
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champion, avoided the fate of becoming a one-hit wonder by successfully defending her title and clinching back-to-back Australian Open titles. In a one-sided women's final, Sabalenka defeated Zheng Qinwen with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory on Saturday.
Reflecting on her win, Sabalenka expressed her desire to show consistency and prove that she could win multiple major titles. Her triumph at the Australian Open last year gave her the confidence and winning mentality needed to achieve this feat. Furthermore, her loss in the U.S. Open final last September served as motivation to work harder and improve her game.
The differences between Sabalenka's performances in 2021 and 2022 were evident. She had struggled with her serve and doubted her ability to win a major in 2022. However, in this year's Australian Open, she showcased her improved serve, not delivering a single double-fault and not facing a single break point throughout the final.
Sabalenka's dominance was evident from the outset as she capitalized on Zheng's inexperience in Grand Slam finals. The second-seeded Belarusian broke Zheng's serve early in each set, setting the tone for the match with her powerful forehands. This contrasted sharply with her hard-fought three-set victory over Elena Rybakina in the previous year's final.
The journey leading up to the final was equally important for Sabalenka. She avenged her U.S. Open final loss by defeating Coco Gauff in the semifinals. Prior to that, she secured straight-set wins over French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova and Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinals and fourth round, respectively. Sabalenka acknowledged that these experiences and tough moments shaped her into a stronger player and provided her with more confidence in her abilities.
During the final, there were two minor hurdles that momentarily slowed down Sabalenka. In the third game of the second set, the match was briefly interrupted when an activist started yelling out. However, security managed to remove the disruptive person swiftly, allowing the game to resume. Furthermore, when Sabalenka served for the match, she missed two championship points with unforced errors and another with Zheng's clever drop shot. Despite this slight setback, Sabalenka regained her composure and closed out the match on the next three points.
Now, Sabalenka joins the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams as one of the few women to win back-to-back titles at the Australian Open. Her impressive achievement was further highlighted by the fact that she did not drop a single set throughout the tournament, becoming the fifth player since 2000 to accomplish this feat.
Sabalenka credited her support team, particularly her fitness trainer Jason Stacy, for keeping her focused and ensuring she enjoyed the moment. Before each match, Sabalenka would affectionately slap and autograph Stacy's bald head, creating a unique pre-match ritual.
Though Zheng was unable to secure the title, she made an impressive run, reaching her first Grand Slam final in only her ninth major appearance. Supported by the large Chinese community in Melbourne, Zheng expressed her disappointment with her performance but remained hopeful for future successes. Her journey to the final saw her not facing any top-ranked opponents, a feat achieved by only three other players in the Open era.
As Sabalenka celebrated her victory with her team, she confirmed her transformation as both a player and an individual. The first Grand Slam win will always hold a special place for her due to the emotional aspect, but the second victory brought a sense of relief and satisfaction. Sabalenka's determination to maintain consistency and prove herself as a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world has undoubtedly paid off, cementing her status as one of the top players in the game.
In the end, Aryna Sabalenka's back-to-back Australian Open titles solidify her position as a formidable player in the women's singles circuit. Her growth, improved consistency, and unwavering self-belief highlight her dedication to the sport and the joy she finds in competing at the highest level. As she continues her journey, it will be fascinating to see what more she can achieve.
