Australian Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka wins back-to-back titles in Melbourne

Aryna Sabalenka won her second Grand Slam title by beating Zheng Qinwen in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday. Sabalenka is the first player since compatriot Victoria Azarenka to win back-to-back titles in Melbourne since 2013.

Sabalenka needed just an hour and 16 minutes to race off to a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 win on Rod Laver Arena. It completed a comprehensive two weeks for the Belarusian who went the fortnight without dropping a set.

With her latest exploits, Sabalenka cemented her reputation as one of the game's most consistent contenders at Grand Slams, reaching at least the semi-finals in her past six majors, making three finals and winning twice.

In Numbers: Aryna Sabalenka registers multiple records in title win

In vivid red, she overwhelmed Zheng with her crushing groundstrokes deep into both corners and a consistently reliable serve.

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Chinese 12th seed Qinwen was seeking her maiden major title. She had reached her first Grand Slam final without meeting a seed after a host of players crashed out early on her side of the draw, and the gulf in class was quickly exposed.

The Belarusian opened with a comfortable serve then got a look at two break points at 15-40 in Zheng's opening service game when the Chinese star sprayed a backhand wide.

She seized the chance, attacking her opponent's second serve for the break.

Sabalenka consolidated on serve for 3-0, but only after saving three break points as Zheng's nerves settled and she worked to get into the contest.

The Chinese star finally got on the board as her serve hit its mark in game four, with two big unreturnable aces and a forehand winner giving her confidence.

But she had few answers to the booming Sabalenka serve, struggling to get the ball back over the net and into any rallies.

Zheng saved three set points with a pair of aces and a winner to hold for 3-5, but it was delaying the inevitable as Sabalenka closed out the set on serve in 33 minutes.

Three double faults, including on break point, immediately put Zheng on the back foot on the second set as the pressure took its toll.

And there was no way back as she conceded another break to slump 4-1 behind when Sabalenka prefectly played a drop shot.

Fighting until the end, Zheng saved four championship points before the second seed closed out the match to bank her 14th career title.

Despite the loss, it has been a breakthrough tournament for Zheng, who will move into the world's top 10 when the new rankings are released next week.

Sabalenka will remain at number two behind Iga Swiatek, who crashed out in the third round.

(with inputs from AFP)