Aryna Sabalenka beats Zheng Qinwen to clinch back-to-back Australian Open titles

Winning her first Grand Slam title in Australia a year ago gave Aryna Sabalenka the confidence she could do it again. Losing the U.S. Open final last September gave her the extra motivation.

No. 2-ranked Sabalenka clinched back-to-back Australian Open titles with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Zheng Qinwen on Saturday in a one-sided women's final that contrasted sharply with her comeback three-set victory here over Elena Rybakina last year.

Sabalenka set the tone by breaking Zheng's serve early in each set in a 76-minute victory over 21-year-old Zheng, who was making her debut in a Grand Slam final.

14 sets played, 14 sets won, the reigning champion retains her