CROWNING GLORY: Aryna Sabalenka kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE: For a good part of the 76-minute Australian Open final, there was just one player on Rod Laver Arena – Aryna Sabalenka . The second seed got off to a 3-0 start in the first set and in the second she led 2-0. On a windswept evening that was steadily building up, Sabalenka was swinging and stinging. Sabalenka plays to her own drummer, her game is about knockout power, serve and strokes. She’s hard to sidetrack when she’s in control. Zheng was serving in the third game when two protesters with a Palestinian flag shouting, ‘Free Palestine’ held up play for a couple of minutes.
Sabalenka is the first player since compatriot Victoria Azarenka (in 2012-13) to claim the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for consecutive seasons. The 25-year-old also applauded her younger opponent.
“Thanks Evonne for being such an inspiration,” Sabalenka said. Sabalenka then bit back her emotions when she said, “I never speak about my family in my winning speeches. Zheng said, “This is my first final and I’m feeling a little bit pity.
“It has been an amazing couple of weeks for me, it is an unbelievable feeling right now. I love you so much, you’re my biggest motivation. I’m doing it for you. ” I want to say to Zheng, you’re such an incredible player, such a young girl. I know it is disappointing to lose a final, but you’ll get there. I feel I could have done better, but I didn’t in this match. I’m sure there is going to be more and better in the future.”
