Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her Australian Open title on Saturday by defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in straight sets.
The Belarusian second seed, winning 6-3 6-2, becomes the first woman to retain the Melbourne Park title since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
The 25-year-old celebrated her victory with a runway walk after securing her second Grand Slam title. She was seen returning to the locker room in high spirits, clutching a trophy.
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It should be noted that Sabalenka proved too formidable for the 12th seed, concluding the match in 76 minutes to clinch her second Grand Slam crown on Rod Laver Arena.
Zheng had reached her first Grand Slam final without facing a seeded player, given the early exits of several competitors on her side of the draw, and the difference in class became evident quickly.
Sabalenka became the fifth woman to win the Australian Open without dropping a set, following in the footsteps of Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, and Ash Barty.
Sabalenka is also the second player in the Open Era to win her first two Women’s Singles Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, following Azarenka.
She is also the third player in the last 10 years to secure the same Women’s Singles Major event for consecutive seasons, joining Serena Williams at Wimbledon (2015-2016) and Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros (2022-2023).
According to Opta, Sabalenka is the second player in the last 20 years to win the Women's Singles Australian Open final without dropping a single game on serve, following Serena Williams in 2007 against Maria Sharapova.
Zheng, the second Chinese player to qualify for a Grand Slam final and the first since Li's title run here in 2014, will make her Top 10 debut in the rankings on Monday at No.7, while Sabalenka will remain at No.2.