Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open Win: Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty’s Record Gets Elite Company

Aryna Sabalenka carried her incredible form throughout the tournament and thrashed China’s Qinwen Zheng at the finals of the Australian Open a few hours ago. With this victory, she has now become the 9th woman in the Open Era to win successive titles at the Melbourne Major. Sabalenka achieved this feat without dropping a set in this tournament.

It took the 25-year-old Belarusian only 76 minutes to defeat Zheng by 6-3,6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena. Although the number 15 was backed by a group of passionate Chinese fans, Sabalenka’s elegance made sure it had minimal effect on her dominance in the game.

Aryna Sabalenka joins an elite group of WTA stars with her recent Australian Open triumph

Sabalenka has not only become the second woman in the Open Era to win her first two major titles at the Australian Open, following the footsteps of her compatriot, Victoria Azarenka (2012,2013). But also joined an iconic group of women by not dropping a set on her road to victory.

The world no.2 has now got two titles, a final, and three semifinal appearances in her last six Grand Slam appearances. She also became the fifth player in history to win the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup without dropping a set. Ash Barty did it in 2022, Serena Williams in 2017, Maria Sharapova did it in 2008, and Lindsay Davenport achieved this feat in 2000. 

Interestingly, Aryna Sabalenka has won 28 out of the last 29 sets in Melbourne, including her winning run in 2023. What did she say after this remarkable feat? Let’s find out.

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Sabalenka believes Qinwen Zheng has a bright future

Aryna Sabalenka received the most coveted trophy from Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley. During her on-court speech, she said, “I want to say thank you Evonne for being such an inspiration for all of us and receiving this beautiful trophy from you, it’s a pleasure for me. Thank you so much for everything.”

She then went say a few words about the young Chinese player who displayed an outstanding performance throughout the tournament. Sabalenka added, “I want to say congrats to Qinwen Zheng on an incredible couple of weeks here in Australia. I know this feeling, it’s really tough to lose in the finals but you’re such an incredible player, such a young girl and you’re gonna be in many more finals and you’re gonna get it. I want to say congrats to you and your team on an amazing job you guys have done.”

Then the 2 times Australian Open champion concluded her speech by thanking her team, family, and supporters who stood by her side through thick and thin. Do you think Aryna Sabalenka will once again regain her top spot in women’s singles in 2024?

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