Zheng into maiden Slam final, ends run of qualifier Yastremska

It will be a maiden Grand Slam final for Qinwen Zheng, conqueror of qualifier Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4 – and who becomes the second Chinese finalist at the Australian Open, following in the footsteps of her idol Li Na.

Zheng will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday for the right to lift the trophy.

“It feels unbelievable. I’m super-excited to have such a great performance today,” Zheng said afterwards.

“It’s tough to explain my feelings now!”

The opening exchanges were a little nervy, understandably; Yastremska looked shaky from the off, serving four double faults in one early service game.

And when she was a break down at 4-3, she was forced to head off court for a medical time-out that lasted almost seven minutes, receiving treatment for what looked like an abdominal problem.

Zheng, on the other hand, looked sharp and quick and despite her obvious disgruntlement with her racquets – swapping them twice in the opening ten games alone – took the first set 6-4.

Zheng broke early in the second set but Yastremska broke right back with some big hitting – a temporary resurgence as the 12th seed reasserted herself to move a break up at 4-3.

It was the end of a more than impressive run from Yastremska, who came through qualifying as the top seed, despite each of those matches going to three sets. In the main draw, she took out seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova, 27th seed Emma Navarro and 18th seed Victoria Azarenka.

You might also like this

6-4, 6-4: Facts and stats as Qinwen Zheng beats Dayana Yastremska to reach Australian Open final

tennis majors

Yastremska becomes first qualifier to reach Australian Open semi-finals since 1978

tennis majors

Li Na’s advice to Zheng Qinwen: Keep it simple

tennis majors