Women's Australian Open – finally –
Although it offers a greater variety of records in the game, women's tennis is also no stranger to the inevitable demands of the modern age. Strategy, touch and control are still rewarded, but striking is an essential element and in this area there is now a unique arm: that of Aryna Sabalenka. The 25-year-old Belarusian smiles and celebrates again with the trophy in her hands. It is the second time that lightning has struck Melbourne again. Newcomer Qinwen Zheng can do little as he is overwhelmed by the latest attack (6-3 and 6-2, in 76 minutes) from a champion who always prefers the middle lane. Pure dynamite. The one from Minsk has no mediocrity, a cat-like look, a steel right hand and two big ones already in her pocket. It responds to calls for decisive leadership with unparalleled regularity. This is evident from the service book.
Looking back at the last course and the beginning of this course shows that it never fell below the level of the semi-finals on the big stages. Five majors summarized in two titles, two penultimate rounds and the final lost against Coco Gauff in September. Undeniable dominance in Melbourne and on hard courts. Only one sentence was provided in the last edition, none in this one; So far he has collected 14 trophies, 12 of which have come on the fast surface. She continues to grow and establish herself as the most intimidating player in the major temples, even ahead of number one, Iga Swiatek. The Pole was eliminated from the draw in the third round and although she has a relatively generous result in the rankings with 865 points, she is cautious. And it feels good. Sabalenka's break-and-tear tennis triumphs again.
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“Last year I felt more emotions and this time it is a greater relief because of the pressure I felt in these two weeks,” he says after accepting the award from Evonne Goolagong, the Aboriginal woman who This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first of the four hits he signed in Australia. The Belarusian achieved twice in a row what her compatriot Victoria Azarenka achieved between 2012 and 2013. A practically perfect route in which she hardly encountered any resistance, apart from the hardness that Gauff suggested in the semifinals. He did not hesitate in deciding the tournament, where his opponent, 21 years old and debutant in an event of this magnitude, was never able to intimidate him. It's a one-sided, rather insubstantial duel. The Chinese woman's balls just tickle her.
“Today was not my day,” says Zheng, directed by Catalan Pere Riba. “But I really enjoyed these days,” adds the Asian tennis player, who will rise to seventh place on the list tomorrow and is making a good impression on the Antipodes. His attitude, his youth and the projection demonstrated invite us to reflect on an important development. “You had a fantastic tournament, I am sure that you will play in further Grand Slam finals,” said the winner, who in recent days has Ella Seidel (159th), Brenda Fruhvirtova (96th), and Lesia Tsurenko (31.) defeated. Amanda Anisimova (214th), Barbora Krejcikova (11th) and Coco Gauff (3rd). Zheng, for his part, faced no rivals in the top 50 heading into the epilogue.
Zheng tries to return with the backhand.TRACEY NEARMY (Portal)
Sabalenka once again confirms herself as one of the most consistent and reliable tennis players in the women's circuit. It is currently ranked second in the world but continues to accumulate success to climb back to the top after briefly holding the lead for just under two months between September and November last year. His career currently describes an unparalleled linearity and after this latest exhibition it is only reinforced. There is no more forceful right on the circuit, but it has found a footing from which it previously suffered in the big events. He is moving forward with determination and the development is evident in his game. He eliminated errors – especially accuracy, consistency and double errors – and also improved his self-control; It retains its aggressiveness and temperament, but reacts better to adverse circumstances or delicate moments.
Flawless from start to finish, Sabalenka joins the select group of champions who have been crowned without conceding a single goal in Melbourne in this new century; 14 in his favor and none in opposing hands. She joins the names of Lindsay Davenport (2000), Maria Sharapova (2008), Serena Williams (2017) and Ashleigh Barty (2022).
“I won’t go as crazy as I did before”
AC | Melbourne
In “Break Point,” the Netflix-produced documentary, the champion says her goal is to win two majors before she turns 25. Sabalenka already has it. “I didn’t want to be a player who wins one and then disappears. “I wanted to show that I am capable of winning another victory and now I hope there will be more,” he told reporters after toasting with the traditional glass of champagne.
The Belarusian has shown a remarkable mental leap recently. “I don't go as crazy as I used to,” she replies when asked if she has improved with the service, while her upcoming task is to offer the same performance on the other two surfaces.
“Last year I showed I could do it,” he said with his usual sense of humor. “And if I work the way I have been doing, I think I will definitely be able to do the same on dirt and grass. Beyond his successes on cement, he only triumphed twice in Madrid.
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