Aryna Sabalenka claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles with a straight-sets victory over Qinwen Zheng in Melbourne. The World No 2 sealed a dominant tournament defence with a 6-3 6-2 victory against the 12th seed Zheng, who was playing in a grand slam final for the first time.
The 25-year-old Belarusian was outstanding as she swept her way through the Australian Open draw and did not drop a single set as she became the first woman since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to defend her title. It was Sabalenka’s second grand slam title overall as she bounced back from losing the US Open final to Coco Gauff in September.
Her victory over Zheng in the final was just as comprehensive as her progress through the tournament, building on an opening break in the first behind her powerful first serve and forehand while allowing Zheng no time to settle into the match.
Sabalenka broke again at the start of the second set and passed a series of potentially tricky service games on her way to claiming the double break. A crushing victory firmly establishes Sabalenka as the most powerful force in the women’s game after a second grand slam title in 12 months.
Follow live scores, updates and results from the Australian Open women’s final below: