The Headliners
Aryna Sabalenka’s defence of the Australian Open crown she won in 2023 has been something of a cruise to this point.
The powerful right-hander has been on court for less than seven hours for her six matches at Melbourne Park this year, seeing off Ella Seidel, Brenda Fruhvirtova, Lesia Tsurenko, Amanda Anisimova, Barbora Krejcikova and Coco Gauff in quick time.
She could now become just the fifth player to win the women’s’ singles title without dropping a set since the turn of the millennium, after Ash Barty (2022), Serena Williams (2017), Maria Sharapova (2008) and Lindsay Davenport (2000).
Read our other sports news stories here:
Klopp leaving Liverpool: Alonso the ‘natural heir’, says Carragher
Medvedev hoping third time’s the charm in Australian Open final after Zverev classic
Klopp leaving Liverpool: Alonso, Gerrard and the other candidates to be next Reds manager
The ultra-consistent Belarusian has reached at least the semi-finals of the last six grand slams, and she has a point to prove in Saturday’s final after losing to Gauff in the US Open showpiece last September.
“Of course, I’m super happy to be in another final of a grand slam,” the 25-year-old said after avenging that defeat in the last four on Friday. “Hopefully I can do a little bit better than the last time.
“I would say emotionally I’ll be very ready to fight. Not going crazy, because when you play your first final, you can get emotional and rush things sometimes.”
The final matchup is set 🍿
Who will be the 2024 #AUSOPEN Champion? PIC.TWITTER.COM/6XXQQSANTZ
— wta (@WTA) JANUARY 25, 2024
Standing in her way is the latest breakout star of the women’s game, with Zheng Qinwen looking to become the first Chinese player to win a major singles title since Li Na memorably triumphed at Melbourne Park exactly 10 years before Saturday’s match.
Zheng will be cheered on by millions of fans across China on Saturday, but far from feeling the pressure, the world number 15 is relishing the chance to clinch a career-defining triumph.
“At the beginning I felt it’s a responsibility, sometimes a pressure. But now I’m just trying to focus on myself,” she said of the support from home.
“I’m happy I received a lot of fans who came to support me here and also in front of the TV, across China and across the whole world.”
Zheng was beaten in straight sets when she met Sabalenka in the US Open quarter-finals four months ago – can she succeed where others have failed on Saturday, and at least provide the favourite with a stern test?
Advantage… 🤔@SABALENKAA: the defending champ
Zheng Qinwen: her first Grand Slam final
Read more ahead of the #AUSOPEN final ⤵️
— wta (@WTA) JANUARY 26, 2024
When and how to watch
Like the rest of the tournament, the women’s singles final will be available to watch live on Discovery+ and Eurosport in the United Kingdom. The match is scheduled to get under way at 08:30 UK time, on Rod Laver Arena.
Prediction
While Zheng has been playing the best tennis of her career at Melbourne Park, her big-hitting opponent approaches Saturday’s final as the clear favourite.
Zheng will have to find consistency on her serve; her tournament-leading 48 aces are double Sabalenka’s 24, but she also tops the charts for double faults with 35.
Sabalenka’s power, meanwhile, could simply prove too much. She makes a habit of finding the corners with huge groundstrokes before approaching the net for her winners, and she should have enough about her for another straight-sets victory on Saturday.
Congratulations to Qinwen Zheng on her first Major final, and to @SabalenkaA on her return to the #AUSOPEN women’s singles final. #AUSTRALIANOPEN PIC.TWITTER.COM/YSCKPKSZJH
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) JANUARY 25, 2024
