Zheng Qinwen competes during the women's singles semifinal between Zheng Qinwen of China and Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's biggest tennis star Zheng Qinwen will enter Rod Laver Arena on Saturday attempting to emulate her idol Li Na and become a Grand Slam winner, but the formidable presence of Australian Open defending champion Aryna Sabalenka stands in her way.

The 12th seed Zheng has lived up to the hype after a breakout 2023 yielded her two titles and a spectacular quarterfinal run at the US Open.

She has pushed through an unpredictable women's draw at the Australian Open with No.1 Iga Swiatek and third seed Elena Rybakina knocked out early to open up her section of the draw.

The 21-year-old has not faced a seeded player on her road to the women's final against Sabalenka.

She was almost eliminated in the third round by compatriot Wang Yafan before digging deep to prevail in a thrilling third set tiebreak.

Zheng will be desperate to break a 10-year Grand Slam title drought in singles for Chinese players. Li remains the only major winner for China in singles having memorably won at Roland Garros in 2011 and three years later in Melbourne.

During her run in Melbourne, Zheng received inspiration from Li after meeting her idol for the first time.

"She [told] me: 'Don't think too much. Just go for it'," said Zheng, who revealed Li's advice. "She means a lot, I think, for all the Chinese kids [my age]. Because, I think, she's the first one who won the Slams. That's unbelievable for an Asian woman in that moment."

Zheng will rise into the top 10 of the women's rankings for the first time in her career, but will start as the underdog against second seed Sabalenka, who has marched towards a title defence by not dropping a set.

The 25-year-old Sabalenka has embraced a calm approach during another impressive run at Melbourne Park and she enters the final on the back of a commanding straight sets victory over No.4 Coco Gauff.

It was sweet revenge for Sabalenka, who had lost a tense three-set final to Gauff at last year's US Open.

"I'm not ignoring the pressure. I'm just shifting my focus and it's working well so far," Sabalenka said. "It's one more [match] to go and I'll do my best."

Sabalenka and Zheng have only faced off once in their careers when the Belarusian won in straight sets in the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows last year.

They have trained together and boast similar aggressive styles, leading to an expected high-voltage final. Zheng leads the tournament in aces with 48, but Sabalenka has firepower of her own on serve and both players can unleash heavy forehands with long rallies from the back of the court.

"Zheng is a really nice girl, playing great tennis," Sabalenka said. "She is moving well, fights well for every point and her forehand is her best shot, quite heavy."

Playing in her third Grand Slam final, Sabalenka has experience on her side as she strives to be the first women's player to defend her title at the Australian Open since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

But likely backed by her passionate fans in the stands, Zheng is hoping to take the lessons from Li and lift Chinese tennis back to Glam Slam prominence.

"I'm really happy, but I know there is still another fight to go," she said. "The final, that's my dream since I was a kid."

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)