Still, it was Zheng who enjoyed the quicker start, emerging from an early exchange of breaks to gain the ascendency once more in the fifth game and saving a break point as the Belarusian attempted to level the opening set.

“I was focusing only on what I was doing. If she hit a winner, I felt like it was okay, and more about playing the next shot.

“I was really in the match, and wasn’t over-thinking anything. I told myself that this was a normal match, and not a final, and so I was able to enjoy it.”

Breaking twice more, the 25-year-old was closing in when Sabalenka suddenly turned the tables, winning three straight games to take a break advantage of her own.

Zheng’s consistency proved too strong as she broke back and played a glittering tiebreak to clinch the title, turning the tide on an impressive display of athleticism to track a Sabalenka drop shot.

In all, she maintained clean stats – hitting one more winner than unforced error, while Sabalenka finished the match with a -13 differential – and played her best tennis on key points, converting all five break point opportunities.

“It brings up so much confidence,” she said. “I hadn’t been winning and then here, I beat many seeded players. But everyone is different, and rankings can’t tell you how strong a player can be, because everyone can win if they play well. I’m not going to relax, and feel like I’m unbelievable!