Australian Open 2024: Qinwen Zheng rides on luck to final, rampaging and destructive Aryna Sabalenka last hurdle

China’s Qinwen Zheng has had her fair share of joy after she advanced to a Grand Slam final for the first time in her career.

In the semi-final, the 21-year-old ended qualifier Dayana Yastremska’s dream run after beating the Ukrainian in straight sets. After getting the better of Yastremska, Zheng also made her way into the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. She also became the first Chinese player in 10 years since Li Na to advance to a Grand Slam final.

While Zheng stormed into the final, luck also played a big factor in her journey. In her first 6 matches in the ongoing major, the youngster is yet to face a player in the top 50.

After beating opponents, who are way below her in the rankings, Zheng is set to run into a destructive Aryna Sabalenka, who is not only winning matches, but making absolute statements.

Sabalenka is yet to drop a set in the hard court major and has served 3 bagels (sets of 6-0), 2 of which came against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. There is no visible flaw in her game and Zheng needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get the better of Sabalenka.

At the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, January 26, Zheng has her task cut out. Sabalenka is the defending champion and will go into the final as the firm favourite.

In the semi-final, Sabalenka defeated USA’s Coco Gauff, whom she lost to in the final of the US Open last year, in straight sets.

What happened when Zheng and Sabalenka last faced?
Zheng has faced Sabalenka only once, back in the quarterfinal of the US Open 2023. Zheng, who was the 23rd seed back then, lost the match 1-6, 4-6 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of a packed house.

Sabalenka earned 3 breaks of serve and did not give Zheng even a single chance of a service break. The Belarusian showed sheer dominance to get the better of her Chinese opponent.

From there on, Zheng has upped her game big time. She finished 2022 as the World No.75 and has come a long way since then.

Sabalenka has marched on in the ongoing Australia where she has pounced on opposition like a hungry alligator. It would not be a surprise if she fends off Zheng, but then stranger things have happened in the sport.