Qinwen Zheng edges Dayana Yastremska to make ‘dream’ final in Melbourne

Qinwen Zheng booked her place in her first Grand Slam final after defeating Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.

Zheng ended the 23-year-old qualifier’s dream run with a 6-4, 6-4 victory after one hour and 42 minutes.

The 21-year-old described reaching the final as a ‘dream’ and something she has been aiming for since being a child.

‘’The opponent started really, really good. It was a really difficult match for me to enter in the final,’’ Zheng said post-match.

"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.’’

Prior to reaching the final in Melbourne, Zheng’s best result at a major came at the US Open last year when she reached the quarter-finals before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.

But if the No. 12 seed is to bag her maiden Grand Slam title, she’ll have to face Sabalenka once more, and, this time, come out on top.

‘’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,’’ Zheng said of Sabalenka.

"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 revealed that she had received some pivotal advice from her idol and former professional player Li Na, a two-time Grand Slam 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.’’