Sabalenka 6-3 2-0 Zheng*

30-30 is a rare window for Zheng into the Sabalenka service game – she goes searching for the return, but long!

Zheng then nets as she again struggles to match Sabalenka’s forehand on the baseline. Sabalenka consolidates the break.

*Sabalenka 6-3 1-0 Zheng – Sabalenka breaks!

What a return from Sabalenka! The defending champion powers a magnificent forehand return on the angle, a clean winner.

It’s great from Sabalenka, but the break is also handed to her after three double faults from Zheng – including on break point.

Sabalenka 6-3 Zheng* – Sabalenka wins the first set!

A ball sits up nicely for Zheng to step inside the baseline but her forehand drifts a touch wide and it brings up two set points for Sabalenka.

Zheng’s return is superb! A booming forehand catches Sabalenka off guard and Zheng then puts away the forehand winner.

But Sabalenka steadies and thumps a big ace out wide. She takes the opening set 6-3.

*Sabalenka 5-3 Zheng

Sabalenka dominates the opening point on the forehand and Zheng goes long twice in a row to hand three set points to Sabalenka.

But that’s some response from Zheng! Two aces and a forehand winner to get back to deuce.

Sabalenka then nets on the backhand return: but Zheng makes a double fault on advantage.

Zheng finds a third ace of the game and then produces the first serve out wide to claim an impressive hold!

Sabalenka will serve for the set but there are signs of encouragement for Zheng.

Sabalenka 5-2 Zheng*

Another ruthless hold from Sabalenka: easing clear after Zheng got to 15-15. Apart from that second service game where Zheng got to 0-40, she hasn’t had a look. Sabalenka’s forehand is finding its marks.

*Sabalenka 4-2 Zheng

Sabalenka senses an opportunity as she attacks the Zheng serve and gets to 15-15. But Zheng steadies and continues to land her first serve in play. She holds and that counts as a good test passed.

Sabalenka 4-1 Zheng*

Sabalenka replies with her own love hold. Zheng is showing signs of settling but breaking Sabalenka will be tough if the defending champion continues serving like this.

*Sabalenka 3-1 Zheng

Excellent serving from Zheng and the Chinese player gets on the board with behind a couple of aces!

Love hold behind four first-serves in a row.

Sabalenka 3-0 Zheng*

Zheng finds an excellent passing shot past Sabalenka after she was unable to put away the volley into the net before Sabalanka fires wide on the forehand down the line.

Another miss for Sabalenka! This time on the backhand. Three points for Zheng to break straight back.

Sabalenka saves all three! Zheng is first unable to respond to Sabalenka’s hitting and then Sabalenka powers a backhand winner to get to deuce.

Too good from Sabalenka. Four points in a row and she pushes Zheng right back behind the baseline with her forehand strike.

Zheng nets again and Sabalenka holds from 0-40 down with five points in a row.

*Sabalenka 2-0 Zheng – Sabalenka breaks!

Zheng misfires twice after deep forehand blows from Sabalenka, as the defending champion gets to 15-30.

Zheng then nets on the backhand and it’s an early break point opportunity for Sabalenka.

Sabalenka crushes the backhand on the Zheng second serve and the 12th seed fires wide under the pressure.

Early break.