Australian Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka retains title, beats Qinwen Zheng

Melbourne: The Australian Open 2024 Women's Singles Final witnessed a masterful performance by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who clinched victory against challenger Qinwen Zheng in straight sets.

Sabalenka showcased her title defense prowess, securing the first set 6-3 and the second set 6-2.

The match, held in Melbourne, showcased a display of skill, resilience, and determination from both players, ultimately culminating in Sabalenka becoming the first woman since 2013 to defend the Australian Open title.

In the opening game, Aryna Sabalenka, starting with the serve, set the tone for the match with a dominant performance, holding her serve and establishing a 1-0 lead. Qinwen Zheng faced early challenges in the second game as Sabalenka broke her serve, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. In the competitive third game, Zheng showcased resilience by holding her serve, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The defending champion, Sabalenka, consolidated her lead in the fourth game by holding her serve, bringing the score to 3-1. Despite Sabalenka's authority, Zheng mounted a comeback in the fifth game, winning and narrowing the gap to 3-2. Responding with authority, Sabalenka secured the sixth game, extending her lead to 4-2.

Zheng displayed resilience by holding her serve in the seventh game, trailing 4-3. Sabalenka intensified her push for the set in the eighth game, securing the win and reaching a 5-3 lead.

Despite facing set point, Zheng held her serve in the ninth game, showing determination. In an intense final game, Sabalenka sealed the first set with a scoreline of 6-3, showcasing her intentions for a successful title defense.

Aryna Sabalenka started the second set on a strong note by winning the opening game, securing an early lead of 1-0. In response, Qinwen Zheng held her serve in the second game, maintaining a closely contested set with the score at 1-0.

Sabalenka seized a crucial break in the third game, extending her advantage to 2-0 in the second set. Zheng showcased resilience by holding her serve in the fourth game amid Sabalenka's pressure, keeping the set competitive at 2-1.

Continuing her momentum, Sabalenka secured the fifth game, further extending her lead to 3-1.

Qinwen Zheng displayed determination by holding her serve in the sixth game, signaling her intent to stay in the set, with the score at 3-1. The fifth game of the set was a thrilling rollercoaster, with Zheng initially leading, but Sabalenka made a comeback to secure the game, leading 4-1.

Despite the setback, Zheng held her serve in the sixth game, trailing 4-2.

Aryna Sabalenka maintained her dominance by winning the seventh game, moving closer to victory at 5-2.

In an emphatic final game, Sabalenka sealed her victory in the second set with a score of 6-2, successfully defending her Australian Open title.