Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka Preview & Prediction | 2024 Australian Open | Women’s Final
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THE FACTS
When is Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka on and what time does it start? Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on Saturday 27th January, 2024 – not before 08:30 (UK)
Where is Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka taking place? Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka being played on? Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka
What channel is Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka on in the UK? Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Qinwen Zheng vs Aryna Sabalenka live on their website
THE LOWDOWN
QINWEN ZHENG
21-year-old Qinwen Zheng will set a new career-high WTA world ranking of seventh for reaching her maiden Grand Slam final on Saturday, beating Dayana Yastremska in assured straight sets to emulate her idol, Li Na, in making the Melbourne final. Na won her last of three Australian Open finals here a decade ago to sprinkle a little bit of fate around this enticing final on Saturday but the Chinese has earned her place with a brilliant campaign, impressing with some clutch performances despite yet playing anyone ranked inside the top 50. The Chinese rising star claimed her first two WTA titles late last season in Palermo and Zhengzhou, won Gold at the Asian Games and reached the quarter-finals at the US Open but this run eclipses them all in only her third appearance in Melbourne.
ARYNA SABALENKA
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has reached the final without dropping a set after a composed performance against Coco Gauff on Thursday, avenging her defeat to the American from a set up in the US Open final last September. 25-year-old Sabalenka came back from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina to the title here 12 months ago and she has now reached at least the semi-finals in each of her last six Grand Slam appearances, including three finals, and in eight of her last 10. The Belarussian also made the final without dropping a set here last year, although she has arguably faced tougher opposition this time around.
THE PREDICTION
Aryna Sabalenka looks the rock-solid favourite to defend her Australian Open title with gusto on Saturday but this has been a tournament full of shocks, with Qinwen Zheng riding the more turbulent side of the draw all the way to the top. The Chinese has a serious game for these conditions but she takes on probably the most potent hard-courter on the WTA tour in Sabalenka, who has seen her imperious serve broken just six times this fortnight. Zheng is well capable of rattling off a service game or two of her own, and Sabalenka is less mobile than some of her opponents this campaign, but the Grand Slam final debutante will have to find the peak of her powers to protect it throughout as she aims to emulate her idol, Li Na, with the hopes of a nation, if not a continent, on her shoulders.
Sabalenka beat Zheng in straight sets to oust her from her previous best Grand Slam run, in the quarter-finals of the US Open last September, and similar fare can be expected here after the Belarussian’s gutsy, assured effort against Coco Gauff on Thursday. Back Sabalenka to win her second Grand Slam title in straight sets, although things could get tight enough on match point to see this match go to a nervy decider.
TIP: ARYNA SABALENKA TO WIN 2-0
