Aryna Sabalenka has clinched back-to-back Australian Open titles after destroying Qinwen Zheng in the women’s singles final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.
The second seed took only one hour, 17 minutes to win her second career major, defeating China’s 12th seed Zheng 6-3 6-2.
Sabalenka won’t return to the world no.1 ranking after the win, instead staying at no.2, but she will put pressure on incumbent Iga Swiatek with the Grand Slam triumph.
The result was never really in doubt, especially after Sabalenka broke Zheng on her opening serve of the match.
Sabalenka cruised her way through the first set and it was much of the same in the second, as the power from the reigning champion was simply too much for Zheng.
The world no.2 broke in the first game and again in the fifth game, before needing five championship points to seal the title.
The Sporting News followed the Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng final live, providing score updates, commentary, and highlights as it happened.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng final score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | |
|
[2] Aryna Sabalenka |
6 | 6 |
|
[12] Qinwen Zheng (CHN) |
3 | 2 |
*Denotes server
