MELBOURNE: Aryna Sabalenka produced an utterly dominant display to become the first woman in 11 years to retain the Australian Open title and send out a warning to her rivals with her second Grand Slam title on Saturday.

The Belarusian world number two blew away Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 in 76 minutes with a show of power that overwhelmed the Chinese 12th seed, emulating compatriot Victoria Azarenka’s 2012-13 feat by winning the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup back-to-back.

Sabalenka came into the match without having dropped a set at the year’s first major and stayed perfect to join Ash Barty, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport in the elite club of players to have done so this century.

“I’m speechless right now,” Sabalenka said at her press conference as she sipped a glass of wine. “I don’t know how to describe my emotions. But definitely I’m super, super happy and proud of everything I was able to achieve so far. Yeah, just happy with the level I played today. She’s a great player and very tough opponent.”

Sabalenka dropped only one set at last year’s tournament and her dominance this year is a further reflection of the maturity and emotional control she has built in the last 12 months.

“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. ”

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.

“I didn’t want to be a player who won it and disappeared,” Sabalenka said. “I wanted to show I’m able to be consistently there and I’m able to win another one. That’s why no matter what the result, win or lose, we’re always working hard, we’re always looking for things to improve in my game.”

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.

“It’s my first final and I’m feeling a little bit of pity,” said Zheng. “I feel very complicated because I feel like I could’ve done it better. But I really enjoyed playing in this Australian Open, it’s an amazing memory for me. I’m sure there is going to be more and better in the future.”

Sabalenka opened with a comfortable serve then got a look at two break points at 15-40 in Zheng’s opening service game when the Chinese star sprayed a backhand wide.

She seized the chance, attacking her opponent’s second serve for the break.

Sabalenka consolidated for 3-0, but only after saving three break points as Zheng’s nerves settled and she worked to get into the contest.

The Chinese player finally got on the board as her serve hit its mark in game four, with two big aces and a forehand winner giving her confidence.

But she had few answers to the booming Sabalenka serve, struggling to get the ball back and get into any rallies.

Zheng saved three set points with a pair of aces and a winner to hold for 3-5, but it was delaying the inevitable as Sabalenka closed out the set on serve in 33 minutes.

Three double faults, including on break point, immediately put Zheng on the back foot in the second set as the pressure took its toll.

And there was no way back as she conceded another break to slump 4-1 behind when Sabal­enka executed a perfect drop shot.

Fighting until the end, she saved four championship points before the second seed closed out the match to bank her 14th career title.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2024