Is Aryna Sabalenka about to win her bet? The Belarusian, who had indicated that she wanted to finish the season as world number 1 after her title at the US Open, in any case comes back very strongly on Iga Swiatek. Still in very good shape at the end of the season, she won her 4th trophy in 2024 by dominating Qinwen Zheng, Olympic champion in Paris, in three sets (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) and 2h40 in the WTA final 1000 from Wuhan. Thanks to this victory, Sabalenka will return to a tiny 69 points behind Iga Swiatek in the WTA rankings on Monday.
The mission was no easy task. Certainly, Aryna Sabalenka was the favorite this Sunday, but facing Qinwen Zheng, world number 7, and the entire Chinese public, she had to put her guts on the court. Because after a controlled start to the match – a set and a break in advance (6-3, 2-1) – she revived an opponent who was particularly dangerous due to her ability not to back down and to be as aggressive as she was. from his baseline. At one set everywhere, the Belarusian could have tensed up even more, but she took responsibility.
Mentally strong despite upheavals
Until the end, nothing was easy. Starting again with a double break acquired at the start of the third set (6-3, 5-7, 3-0), Sabalenka tensed up again, put under pressure by the quality of the opponent’s recovery. With her ability to easily change direction in the rally, particularly with a forehand curled along the line, Zheng made a first break (3-2 in the 3rd set), before the world number 2 did it again. gap (5-2).
When it came time to serve for the title, Sabalenka again showed signs of feverishness, giving in her commitment. But she had the great merit of remaining aggressive, despite her mistakes, particularly on the forehand side. On her 3rd match point on the restart, she showed off all her recent technical progress and in controlling her nerves: from the engagement to the return, a sliding and well-covered drop shot at the net to seal the deal. The Belarusian has the wind in her sails and will have a lead of more than 800 points in the Race over Swiatek on Monday. In the race for the throne at the end of 2024, she regained the advantage.
