Australian Open champion Arina Sabaljenko will play her third Grand Slam final and claims that her experiences from the previous two will help her not to feel too emotional on the court.
After all, her rival is a debutant in the fight for the throne at the biggest tournaments - 21-year-old Chinese Qinwen Zheng. The final of the Australian Open in the women's competition, in front of the Melbourne (setting) sun, starts today shortly after 9.30:XNUMX a.m. CET.
- Emotionally, I would say that I will be more than ready for the fight. I'm not going to "go crazy" - said the Belarusian.
- Because, when you play your first final, sometimes you are emotional and you rush too much.
Will Zheng hurry? The very talented tennis player has a chance to become the first Chinese woman with a Grand Slam trophy since her compatriot Na Li, who celebrated at the same place exactly 10 years ago.
Both of Sabaljenko's previous finals were result-driven and emotional roller coasters.
Last year at the Australian Open, she lost the first set to Jelena Rybakina, only to turn around and win her first major trophy. Five months ago, in the finals of the US Open, she won the first set against Koko Goff, had dominance and control, and then she "disintegrated" as a result and emotionally - the American came to a turning point.
Sabaljenka, now the second seed, avenged Koko Goff two days ago by winning the semifinals and is the clear favorite against Dženg, the 12th seed.
- When you are in the final for the third time, you say to yourself - OK, it's the final. It is OK. It's just another match. You are able to focus only on your game. I am defending the title, but in the worst case, I will lose the tournament and next year I will have fewer points to defend. That's how I look at things.
Sabaljenka has a chance to become the first woman to win back-to-back Australian Open titles since countrywoman Victoria Azarenka did it in 2012 and 2013.
- One more match to the end and I will do my best.
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