MELBOURNE (ABC): Aryna Sabalenka said the Australian Open will always be her “special place” after blowing China’s Zheng Qinwen off court on Saturday to become the first woman to defend her title in more than a decade.
The Belarusian world number two proved too strong for the 12th seed, administering a 6-3, 6-2 drubbing in 76 minutes to claim her second Grand Slam crown on Rod Laver Arena.
It capped an incredible display of power and poise from Sabalenka over the past fortnight, with the 25-year-old surging to the title without losing a set through her seven matches.
The last time the tournament witnessed a successful women’s title defence was in 2013, when fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat.
“Like every player, you want to win them all (Slams), but Australia will definitely always be my special place and it’s going to be in my memory for the rest of my life,” she said.
“I think the first (title) is always special because it is so emotional when you win for the first time, second time it’s just such a relief.
“I’ve been under a little pressure these two weeks and I’m super happy I was able to handle it and compete at such a high level.”
With her latest exploits, Sabalenka cemented her reputation as one of the game’s most consistent contenders at Grand Slams, reaching at least the semi-finals in her past six majors, making three finals and winning twice.
She had words of encouragement for Zheng, who was in her first major final.
“I know this feeling — it is tough to lose in a final but you are such an incredible player, such a young girl. You are going to be in many more finals and you are going to get it,” she said.
In vivid red, she overwhelmed Zheng with her crushing groundstrokes deep into both corners and a consistently reliable serve.
Zheng had reached her first Grand Slam final without meeting a seed after a host of players crashed out early on her side of the draw, and the gulf in class was exposed.