Aryna Sabalenka defeats Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 to retain Australian Open title

25-year-old Aryna Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title on Saturday, defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 to win her second Grand Slam. Sabalenka, who is Belarusian but competes under a neutral flag because of Belarus’s support of Russia against Ukraine, is the first woman since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to win the title in consecutive years. Second-seeded Sabalenka was …

Continue Reading

Wang Xiyu claims maiden WTA title as China tennis boycott ends

22-year-old Wang Xiyu won her first WTA title Saturday as she defeated Magda Linette 6-0, 6-2 in the final of the Guangzhou Open, the first Chinese elite women’s tournament to take place since the WTA suspended competitions in the country over fears around player Peng Shuai’s safety. No tournaments have been played in the country since before the pandemic. In …

Continue Reading