Australian Open women's final preview: Sabalenka one match from title defense, faces Zheng Qinwen
The 2023 champion denied Coco Gauff in a tight semi-final as world No.15 Zheng Qinwen is into her first Grand Slam final at age 21. Find out how to tune in Saturday night (Melbourne time).
Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka is one match away from back-to-back Australian Open titles.
The world No.2 stopped Coco Gauff 7-6 (2), 6-4 in a tight two-set affair on Thursday (25 January) evening at Melbourne Park in a rematch of the US Open final, earning a trip back to the title tilt at the AO a year after she won her first tennis major.
She'll meet Zheng Qinwen, the first Chinese woman to reach a major singles final since Li Na won this event 10 years ago, in Saturday (27 January) evening's women's singles final, looking to become the first woman to successfully defend her Australian crown since Victoria Azarenka did so in 2012-13.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka hit a whopping 33 winners against Gauff in their one-hour, 42-minute affair, winning 12 of 20 net approaches.
Later on Rod Laver Arena, Zheng, whose previous best at a major was the quarter-finals at September's US Open, halted the inspired run of qualifier Dayana Yastremska, prevailing 6-4, 6-4. Regardless of Saturday's result, Zheng will break into the world's top 10 rankings come Monday (29 January).
It was Sabalenka who halted Zheng's US Open run last year, winning 6-1, 6-4 in that quarter in their only previous meeting.
Australian Open 2024: Women's singles final schedule
All times listed are local Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT, GMT +11).
Saturday, 27 January
Time TBD - [2] Aryna Sabalenka vs. [12] Zheng Qinwen (CHN)
Followed by - Men's doubles final - [2] Rohan Bopanna (IND)/Matt Ebden (AUS) vs. Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori (ITA)
Australian Open 2024: How to watch live
Channel 9 airs the action in Australia, with ESPN carrying first ball to last in the U.S.
A full list of broadcasters can be found here, with some of select territories listed below:
- Canada - TSN
- China - CCTV (among others)
- France, Germany, Italy, Serbia & U.K. - Eurosport
- India - Sony Sports
- Japan - WOWOW
- Mexico - ESPN International
- Tunisia - beIN Sports