Aryna Sabalenka retains Australian Open crown after demolition job on Zheng Qinwen

Aryna Sabalenka made it back-to-back Australian Open titles after demolishing Zheng Qinwen in straight sets at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

The world No 2 went into the final as overwhelming favourite up against the Chinese player taking part in her first Grand Slam final.

And Sabalenka was in control from the start, taking the opening game on serve to love in under two minutes as the Belarusian then hurtled into a 3-0 then 4-1 lead before securing the first set 6-3.

The second then started in disastrous fashion for 12th seed Zeng, who served three double-faults on the way to being broken, leaving Sabalenka needing only to hold her serve to become champion again.

As it was, Zeng was soon 4-1 down after being broken again and Sabalenka powered through the rest of the set to win 6-3, 6-2 and secure her second Grand Slam crown in 76 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The 25-year-old became the first player to win the women’s singles title at the Australian Open for consecutive seasons since her countrywoman Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat in 2012 and 2013.

Sabalenka also became the second player in three years to secure the title having not dropped a set – Ashleigh Barty did the same in 2022.

“It’s been an amazing two weeks lifting this trophy one more time, and I’m really speechless. As always my speech is going to be weird. It’s not my superpower but I’ll try my best,” said Sabalenka on court after the match.

“I never speak about my family in the winning speeches before but I have to say thank you for everything they’ve done for me. I love you so much and you are my biggest motivation and everything I am doing, I’m doing for you.

“To the crowd, thank you so much for the support for these two weeks. I really enjoy playing in