China News Service, January 27th, Beijing time on the 27th, in the just-concluded 2024 Australian Open women's singles final, 21-year-old Chinese player Zheng Qinwen lost to defending champion Sabalenka 0:2 and won the runner-up. Although it was a pity that he missed the championship, Zheng Qinwen still created the best result in his personal career Grand Slam.

　　The Australian Open is regarded as a blessed place for Chinese players. Li Na made history by winning the women's singles crown here in 2014. Exactly ten years later, Zheng Qinwen's outstanding performance allowed the Chinese player to reappear in the Australian Open singles final. This was also her first Grand Slam final.

  Zheng Qinwen in the women's singles final

　　According to statistics, among all Asian players who have reached the Grand Slam final for the first time in their careers since the Open era, 21-year-old Zheng Qinwen is the second youngest in history. Before her, only the 2018 US Open women's singles champion Naomi Osaka (20 years old) ).

　　After defeating Ukrainian player Yastremska in the semifinals, Zheng Qinwen's real-time world ranking has been raised to a career-high No. 7. If she aspires to win the Australian Open championship, she will reach No. 6 in the latest rankings announced next week.

　　Zheng Qinwen’s opponent in the final is the Belarusian star Sabalenka. The last time the two met was in the quarterfinals of the US Open last year, when Zheng Qinwen lost 1:6/4:6.

　　As the No. 2 seed and defending champion of the tournament, Sabalenka has advantages in experience, technical maturity, etc., and is in good condition. On the way to promotion, Sabalenka did not lose a set in 6 games, and in the semi-finals, she also defeated the new US Open champion Gauff.

  Zheng Qinwen in the women's singles final

　　Therefore, Zheng Qinwen is a relatively unfavorable side in the final. If he wants to defeat Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen needs to pressure his opponent through high-quality serves, especially keeping the first-server scoring rate at a high level, which is also regarded as the winner of this contest.

　　However, at the beginning of the game, Sabalenka quickly took the initiative through fast and deep returns and returns, and broke serve early in the second game. In the third game, Zheng Qinwen once got 3 break points, but unfortunately he failed to cash in and missed the opportunity to equalize. In the 8th game, Zheng Qinwen saved 3 consecutive set points through his strong serve, chasing the score to 3:5. But Sabalenka seized the opportunity to serve and win the first set.

　　In the second set, Zheng Qinwen failed to hold the first serve, and the situation became passive again. Sabalenka became more and more courageous as she fought, and finally won the game 6:2.

　　Looking at the entire competition, Zheng Qinwen, who fired many aces, showed her strength in the serving process, which will also be her trump card in future competitions. During the game, Zheng Qinwen fought hard for every point, but her nervousness still limited her performance to some extent. Her overall integration into the game was not as good as that of the more experienced Sabalenka.

  Zheng Qinwen in the women's singles final

　　Although he missed the Grand Slam title, Zheng Qinwen will still gain a lot from this trip to the Australian Open: he has gained more experience and experienced the atmosphere of a Grand Slam final; he has strengthened his confidence and ranked among the top ten in the world for the first time; he has accumulated a lot of experience. Experience, start competing in the top environment; self-regulation, learn to play under greater pressure...

　　For Zheng Qinwen, this year's Australian Open will be a milestone in her career. This is the only way to success and will help her cope with future challenges more confidently.

　　As Zheng Qinwen himself said, "I have not reached the final destination yet, and I have to keep working hard." (End)