Australian Open: Qinwen Zheng aims to ‘manage emotion’ in Aryna Sabalenka final after achieving ‘dream’

Qinwen Zheng says the key will be to “manage the emotion” as she prepares for her first Grand Slam final on Saturday against Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.

Speaking to Eurosport’s Laura Robson after reaching the final, Zheng said: “The opponent started really, really good. It was a really difficult match for me to enter in the final.

“The feeling was incredible as the real first time in my life to be in the final of a Slam.

“That’s [been] one of my dreams since I was a little kid. That’s amazing; especially [as] we had such a great fight on court both of us.

Looking ahead to her clash with Sabalenka for the second major in a row, she continued: “She’s an amazing player; very stable for the last few years. Of course I expect she’s going to give her best in the final.

“It was different the last time because last time I was really new [to it] and I was not used to [it] and this time, I have more experience, played a couple of times on the centre court.

“So I just wish in the final that I can give my best and let’s compete.”

Zheng has revealed during this tournament the counsel she has received from former Chinese player Li Na, herself a two-time major champion who won the title in Melbourne 10 years ago.

“She [Li] already gave me advice a few days ago, she said don’t think too much, just play,” Zheng said.

“Even in the final, you still need to keep your focus and just play tennis.

“I know it’s the final and I know it’s hard. It’s who manages the emotion in the final.

“We’ll see what happens. I’m just going to focus on my game, and we will fight.”

Former Australian Open champion Justine Henin, watching on for Eurosport, was an interested observer of Zheng’s triumph, declaring it a “fantastic story”.

“It’s fantastic to see her progress so much,” Henin said. “We could see that [after] a couple of years and she’s made it to a first Grand Slam final. We can feel her joy.

“She’s had to experience the fact that she was the favourite in the past few days. We know how hard it is and the tension that we could feel today and yesterday.

“Finally, she played only one quarter-final – at the US Open last year – she qualified for her first semi-final. It’s not easy to be the favourite like she was today so it’s a fantastic story in this Australian Open.”

Henin, whose first major final was at the 2001 Wimbledon, revealed her advice for the Chinese player ahead of Saturday’s meeting with heavy favourite Sabalenka.

The Belgian said: “I remember my first final and the emotions were very special.

“Preparing the same way would be the best advice; keep doing the same thing, doing the same routine, but we know that the feeling is going to be so different when you walk on the court so the routine is important.

“I visualised what I wanted to do on the court. This is going to be special, but keeping the same routine.

“It looks like she keeps her feet on the ground. That’ll help her a lot; staying in her bubble and enjoy the moment because this is something very special.”