China's Zheng Saisai captures 1st singles title at San Jose

Zheng Saisai of China used steady, looping groundstrokes and patience to capture her first career singles title, beating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic on Sunday.

Saisai, who is ranked 55th and played one more match than Sabalenka to reach Sunday's championship, topped three seeded players on the way to her second career final and first victory at age 25. She was runner-up at Nanchang last year.

With her big topspin shots landing deep and the defensive ability to chase down balls all over the court, Zheng flustered opponents all week with her consistency and level-headed play — and the emotional Sabalenka was no different. She threw her racket after double-faulting on the first match point, slammed her racket to the court at one point and also hit it on the net in frustration in an afternoon of unforced errors after the 21-year-old missed on a fourth career title. The second-seeded Sabalenka, who lost in the first round of qualifying here in 2018, rode her powerful first serve to reach to her seventh final and is projected to match her career-high ranking of ninth.

Zheng Saisai, of China, hits a backhand to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Her power was neutralized by Zheng's regular topspin shots and digs to keep long rallies alive.

"I couldn't control my emotions. I was throwing my rackets," she said. "... Her game destroyed me because I couldn't use my power. I wasn't ready for that."

Zheng's victory could propel her to No. 38 — matching her career best — when Monday's new singles rankings are released.

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, uses a bag of ice on her head to cool off as she talks to her coach during a break in the match against Zheng Saisai, of China, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

The two met once previously, with Zheng winning in straight sets on the ITF circuit in 2017. Each woman had played one three-set match this week.

Venus Williams lost her opening match Tuesday night after reaching last year's quarterfinals here. The 39-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam champion was in the field for the 15th time, this year as a wild-card entry.

In the doubles final, Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic and American Nicole Melichar defeated Japanese tandem Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara 6-4, 6-4 earlier Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after winning a point against Zheng Saisai, of China, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

This marked the second year the event has been played at San Jose State University after moving from Stanford.

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Zheng Saisai, of China, serves the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Zheng Saisai, of China, returns the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, hits a backhand to Zheng Saisai, of China, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Zheng Saisai, of China, serves the ball to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after losing the first set against Zheng Saisai, of China, during the finals of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoTony Avelar)

No. 1 Georgia (2-0) at Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Georgia by 24 1/2.

Series: Georgia leads, 63-12-2.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Georgia opens Southeastern Conference play looking to tie South Carolina atop the standings and win its 15th straight against Kentucky. The Wildcats aim to avoid a 0-2 SEC start after losing 31-6 to South Carolina in an effort that was flat in all aspects.

KEY MATCHUP

Georgia’s scoring defense is tied for fourth in FBS with just two second-half field goals allowed to Clemson and Tennessee Tech, the second coming on the game’s final play. The Bulldogs enter with linemen Mykel Williams listed as doubtful and Jordan Hall, Xzavier McLeod and Warren Brinson questionable by the SEC. The Bulldogs will face a Kentucky offense hungry to rebound from gaining just 183 yards and kicking two field goals against South Carolina, the first time since December 2022 it hasn’t scored a touchdown. The Wildcats yielded five sacks to the Gamecocks and must shut down a pass rush that has registered five through two games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is 15-1 as the starter and is coming off a career-best five-touchdown passing performance against Tennessee Tech. The senior is 53 yards away from 5,000 career and has completed 72% of his passes for 520 yards and seven TDs this season.

Kentucky linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson transferred from Georgia last winter after earning an Associated Press second team All-American selection in 2022. He recorded 126 tackles and 9.5 sacks over three seasons with the Bulldogs and has six stops (1.5 for loss) so far with the Wildcats. Dumas-Johnson intercepted a pass in the season opener against Southern Miss.

FACTS AND FIGURES

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Georgia tight end Lawson Luckie (7) is brought down by Tennessee Tech defensive back Caldra Williford (13) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia running back Chauncey Bowers (33) runs between Tennessee Tech linebacker Kalvyn Crummie (42) and defensive lineman Jeremiah Sandiford (95) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) runs for a big gain after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Tech Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia defensive back Justyn Rhett (9) is called for a face mask penalty as he tackles Tennessee Tech wide receiver Tremel Jones (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Tech Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)