- The Belarusian was aiming to win back-to-back grand slams at the tournament
- The world No 2 defeated American rival Coco Gauff 7-6, 6-4 in the semi-final
- At just 21 years of age China ‘s Zheng was competing in her first grand slam final
Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Zheng Qinwen to win the Australian Open in straight sets.
The world number two lifted her first grand-slam trophy at Melbourne Park 12 months ago and has been untouchable this fortnight.
Standing in her way was China’s Zheng who, at just 21 years of age, was competing in her first grand slam final.
She did not drop a set in seven matches and defeated Zheng 6-3 6-2 to become the first player since countrywoman Victoria Azarenka 11 years ago to claim back-to-back titles.
Zheng, who had not had to face a top-50 player through the first six rounds, had hoped to emulate the watching Li Na and claim the title for China a decade on.
World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka has won the Australian Open for the second year in a row
The world No 2 lifted her first grand-slam trophy at Melbourne Park 12 months ago
Sabalenka did not drop a set in seven matches and defeated Zheng 6-3 6-2
But the 21-year-old, the 12th first-time slam finalist in the women’s game in the last three years, was up against it from the start and Sabalenka wrapped up victory in only 76 minutes despite a brief disruption from pro-Palestine protesters.
Zheng was the first player this century to reach a slam final without facing a seeded opponent, and the low rankings of her opponents made this a huge step up.
Early nerves were evident and Sabalenka set straight about seizing on the Zheng serve, breaking for 2-0 and then holding from 0-40 in another statement of intent.
Zheng has struggled with the consistency of her serve this tournament but, when she has made the first delivery, it has been very effective, and two aces helped her get on the board in the fourth game.
The Chinese fans in the crowd were making their presence felt but, while Zheng came up with more big serving to save three set points at 5-2, Sabalenka finished it off decisively on her own delivery.
Sabalenka is presented with the trophy from former tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Zheng was the first player this century to reach a slam final without facing a seeded opponent
She had hoped to emulate the watching Li Na and claim the title for China a decade on
The Belarusian has ridden emotional highs and lows throughout her career, and her stellar 2023 could have brought her more than one slam title had she not wobbled in defeats by Karolina Muchova, Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff.
The latter came in the US Open final after Sabalenka had dominated the first set, but here she has been steely on and off court, claiming a cathartic win over Gauff in the semi-finals.
Zheng had won just five games in their only previous meeting in the quarter-finals in New York last summer, and her hopes of doing better were hit by a disastrous start to the second set, serving three double faults in the opening game.
The Belarusian backed up an impressive 6-3 opening set with a 6-2 win to take victory
The pair share an embrace after the conclusion of the fiercely contested final
Zheng fought back in the final game to hold Sabalenka to a few deuces as she served for the match
China’s Zheng Qinwen was playing in her first ever Grand Slam title against Sabalenka
A look at the Rod Laver Arena under the lights during this year’s Australian Open final
With Zheng trying to hold in the third game, the match was briefly delayed when two spectators held up a Palestinian flag in the stands and shouted until they were hauled away by security to cheers from the remaining fans.
Zheng kept her composure to get on the board but her serve had really dropped off and Sabalenka broke again to lead 4-1.
Zheng managed some brief late resistance, saving four match points, but Sabalenka crunched a forehand winner on her fifth chance before thrusting her arms into the air.
