Aryna Sabalenka brutally demolishes Qinwen Zheng to claim Aus Open glory again

Zheng, 21, saved four set points on her own serve at 2-5 before Sabalenka wrapped up the set with a service winner after 33 minutes.

Zheng had hit a tournament-leading 48 in her six matches to reach the final but her serve let her down tonight. 

Needing a strong start to the second set, she sent down three double faults in her opening service game to be broken again. She held after the political protest to trail 1-2 but won only one more game. 

Zheng saved four match points – the third with a brave drop shot  – before Sabalenka took her fifth with a forehand winner.