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Aryna Sabalenka defends the Australian Open title against Zheng Qinwen

Melbourne, Australia, Jan 27 (EFE).- Sabalenka secured her second consecutive title in Melbourne, triumphing in the Australian Open final against China’s Qinwen Zheng with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just one hour and 16 minutes.

The 25-year-old Belarusian dominated the encounter, not dropping a set in wins over Seidel, Fruhvirtova, Tsurenko, Anisimova, Krejcikova, Gauff, and Zheng.

This achievement marked her as the first player to defend the Oceanic “major” title since Viktoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.

Zheng faced her biggest Slam challenge, supported by a lively crowd, including enthusiastic Chinese fans in the packed Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka in her two previous major finals imposed her frenetic pace and powerful serve from the start.

Zheng struggled to enter the rallies, and despite an early break, she couldn’t recover, wasting three break points.

The Belarusian maintained her high level throughout the first set, securing it 6-3 with 94% first-serve points, four wins, and five unforced errors. Sabalenka’s pressure led to a total of 19 unforced errors.

Sabalenka’s forehand and backhand strokes resonated in Rod Laver, eliciting gasps from the spectators.

Sabalenka concluded the match with an 84% points won on first serves, 14 wins, and 14 unforced errors. Her aggressive play forced Zheng into 32 forced errors.

With the win, Sabalenka, who has a positive record of 2-1 in Grand Slam finals, remains second in the world behind Poland’s Iga Swiatek.EFE

jcs/dgp

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