Aryna Sabalenka defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2, to win the Australian Open final and fulfill her late father’s desire to see her win her second Grand Slam by 25.

In the years since 2000, Sabalenka is the fifth player to win the Australian Open without dropping a set. She joins Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, and Victoria Azarenka.

From the first ball to the last, she was the tournament’s best player. All during the draw, Sabalenka hit huge strokes and served with precision. In the last match, she didn’t have any double faults. Zheng presented her with one break point opportunity at 5-2, which was her hardest struggle.

At the age of 43, her father, Sergey Sabalenka, unexpectedly passed away in November 2019.

Sabalenka said in January 2020: “I’m just trying to fight because my dad wanted me to be No. 1. I’m doing it for him so that’s what’s helping me to be strong right now.”

Sabalenka smiled after the game, totally satisfied that she had realized her father’s desire. When she triumphed in her first Grand Slam match against Elena Rybakina last year, she appeared far more relieved than she did this year.

Aryna Sabalenka in 2024

Currently the world no.2, Aryna played her last match on the 27^th of January when she overcame world no.15 Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 13^th career title.

At the moment, during this season Sabalenka has managed to achieve an overall 11-1 match record. The Belarussian has won 1 title at the Australian Open. The Belarussian reached the final in Brisbane.