Zheng Qinwen breaks down in tears,hits her racket on the floor,screams As Aryna Sabalenka routs Zheng Qinwen: to collect Australian Open 2024 women’s singles final – as it happened

With the Rod Laver arena now filled with the men’s doubles final -Bolelli/Vavassori v Bopanna/Ebden (1-1 in the first set) – time for us to go. A bombastic performance by Sabalenka to take the title, one that will strike fear into the rest of the women’s tour. How many more titles can she take this year?

We’ll be back tomorrow for the Djokovic-less men’s final. Have a great day, bye!On Eurosport Laura Robson is looking ahead towards the French Open, and she sees great things for Sabalenka. “I feel like, having been so dominant over the last two weeks, I can’t see her losing early rounds any more, she just looks so confident against anyone outside the top ten, even in the top ten.”

As for Zheng, there is sympathy, and encouragement. Everyone agrees that to meet Sabalenka on a hard fast court was the worst match up possible, and that not meeting anyone outside the top 50 on her way to the final didn’t do her any favours.Tim Henman chews the fat. “Zheng can improve her serve, her first serve percentage was down at 53 percent, her forehand can be erratic. If she’s this good, with all the improvements she can make, I feel sure she’ll win a major.

And hey, she’s still made the Australian Open final and is now seventh in the world.After only eight hours, 11 minutes on court in the tournament, just one hour 16 minutes in the final, not a set dropped, Sabalenka prepares to do a victory lap of the Rod Laver arena. What a player – so powerful, she blows her opponents away with her physical threat, and the mental strain that brings with it.Sabalenka collects the gorgeous trophy from Evonne Goolagong Cawley, on the fiftieth anniversary of her first Australian Open. Then its her turn on the microphone, she’s charming.

“Thanks Evonne for being such an inspiration for us, and for this beautiful trophy. I want to say to Zheng, you’re such an incredible player such a young girl, I know it is disappointing to lose a final but you’ll get there. It has been an amazing couple of weeks, it is an unbelievable feeling right now. As always my speech is going to be weird, its not my super power, but I’ll do my best. My team, wow [ they give her a heart sign] thank you for everything.

“I never speak about my family in my winning speeches, should I go on, they won’t understand me.. hopefully someone will translate. I love you so much, you’re my biggest motivation, I’m doing it for you. And thanks for the incredible crowd here, that’s what makes this place special. I can’t wait to come back and hopefully, [she hugs the trophy.]”A ball girl in white gloves bashfully puts the trophy on a plinth. Jayne Hrdlicka, of tennis Australia, in a gorgeous silver gown, thanks everyone for watching, sponsoring and so on, and the two finalists. “Both of these women are inspiring girls to pick up rackets round the world.”

The umpire gets his trophy, then it is Zheng’s turn. She allows herself a small smile when the presenter announces that she will enter the top ten for the first time. ‘First of all, I want to congratulate Aryna . This is my first final and I am feeling a little bit pity and I want to say thanks to all the fans who come here to watch me. I feel I could have done better, but I didn’t in this match, but I want to say thank you to my team and also I really enjoy to play in this Australian Open, I’m sure there is going to be more and better in the future.” She’s obviously gutted but holding it together. Well played!The scoreline doesn’t quite reflect the match, there was some super, classy, clever play by Zheng, but in the end she was overpowered by the stronger, more experienced player.

They don’t hang around, we’re already at the presentation.They embrace at the net, Zheng looks shell-shocked, sits at her chair staring into space. The retaining champion grins, waves and blows kisses at the crowd, goes to find her loyal team.Sabalenka wins the Australian Open 6-3, 6-2
Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 Zheng Sabalenka goes 15-0 up as Zheng nets a forehand, then hits the next serve out.

But with three Championship points, the wind fluttering her red skirt as she serves, she falters. Zheng saves two points as Sabalenka hits out, rolling her eyes in the direction of the box. Zheng saves the third with a drop shot! Gorgeous. But Sabalenka takes the advantage with a hammer of a serve. Zheng saves her fourth Championship point as Sabalenka hits the net! A brilliant forehand gives Zheng a break point, Sabalenka throws a ball in disgust. Retorts with an ace. ANother huge rally, Zheng hits long and a fifth Championship point for Sabalenka. She pauses, bounces the ball, wins it with a cross court winner!