Sabalenka retains Australian Open crown

Aryna Sabalenka beat Zheng Qinwen to retain the Australian Open.

She powered to a 6-3 6-2 victory over Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen on Saturday to successfully defend her title and add a second Grand Slam trophy to her cabinet.

With 12th seed Zheng backed by fanatical Chinese support, a composed Sabalenka sucked the energy out of her opponent and the crowd in a fast start.

She is the first woman to win back-to-back since Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

Sabalenka, 25, who became the strong favourite after top seed Iga Swiatek was beaten in the third round, emulated her compatriot Azarenka with a victory that took little over an hour.

“It's been an amazing couple of weeks and I couldn't imagine lifting the trophy another time,” said Sabalenka.

Zheng, 21, was playing in her first major final and often looked overawed - by both the occasion and her opponent.