The Australian Open 2024 Women's Final witnessed an extraordinary display of skill, determination, and resilience as Aryna Sabalenka emerged victorious. The Belarusian tennis player showcased her exceptional talent and cemented her place in history by winning her first Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka's journey to the final was nothing short of remarkable. Throughout the tournament, she exhibited unwavering focus and a relentless fighting spirit. Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive style of play left opponents struggling to keep up with her pace. In the final, she faced a formidable opponent in Simona Halep, but Sabalenka's sheer determination proved to be the deciding factor.
Zheng Qinwen on Saturday in a one-sided women's final that contrasted sharply with her comeback three-set victory here over Elena Rybakina last year.
"I just wanted to show that I'm able to be consistently there and I'm able to win another one," she said. "So compared to last year, it's a completely different me. Compared to the U.S. Open, once again, it's a different me; I'm more controlled and kind of like don't let the rest of the things come to my mind."
She said the experience of playing in more big matches -- including last year's US Open final loss to Coco Gauff -- had left her "emotionally ready" for a fast start that she never surrendered.
"Compared to last year, it's completely different me," Sabalenka said. "I'm more controlled and ... don't let the rest of the things come to my mind, and I was focusing on myself."
 has enhanced her reputation as one of the world's premier hard-court players; of the 14 titles she has won, 12 have come on hard courts, including her two Grand Slams in Melbourne.
Before Sabalenka, fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in 2013 was the last woman to win back-to-back titles in Melbourne.
Reaching the final four in seven of the last nine major tournaments and playing in three finals, Sabalenka has more challenges ahead. She's the No. 2 player in the world behind No. 1 Iga Świątek.
Now bolstered by her latest showing, Sabalenka has strong momentum for the French Open in May.
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Sarah H
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