Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka records easy win over Zheng Qinwen to claim second major

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Aryna Sabalenka has won her second straight Australian Open title following a resounding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Zheng Qinwen.

The Belarusian crushed her opponent within 76 minutes of action at the Rod Laver Arena.

The No. 2 seed had stated she would win at least two major titles by the age of 25. Here, she did so in magnificent fashion with dominant display to end Zheng’s fairytale streak in Melbourne.

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Sabalenka now becomes the first woman to defend an Australian Open title since fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who won successive titles in 2012 and 2013.

It was 21-year-old Zheng’s first major final in this tournament. If Zheng had won, she would have become the first Chinese woman since Li Na (2014) to win the trophy.

Meanwhile, Zheng became the second Chinese woman to reach a Grand Slam final. She is also the first in Melbourne since Li Na exactly 10 years ago.

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“No, I’m not going to be crying,” an emotional Sabalenka said after the win.

“To my team, wow. I put a bit of pressure on them after the Brisbane final and we did better in this one.

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“Thank you so much for being by my side, no matter what. I think I have everything. I have forgotten what I wanted to say but without you, I would not be able to achieve so much in this sport.”