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Australian Open women's singles final: Aryna Sabalenka defends title against Zheng Qinwen

steve gardner, usa today
·2-min read

The first major championship of the 2024 women's tennis season will be awarded early Saturday (U.S. time) at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who knocked off American star Coco Gauff in the semifinals and hasn't dropped a single set during the past two weeks, will attempt to win her second consecutive Australian Open. Sabalenka is the first woman to make it to the championship match in back-to-back years at the Australian Open since Serena Williams (2015-17).

She'll take on 21-year-old Chinese phenom Zheng Qinwen, who will be playing in her Grand Slam final.

In last year's final, Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 for her first career grand slam singles title.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elena Ribakina of Kazakhstan in the women’s singles final at the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elena Ribakina of Kazakhstan in the women’s singles final at the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

When is Australian Open women's final?

The women's final will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3:30 a.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time).

Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Time in the USA.

How to watch Australian Open women's final

All Australian Open matches will be available on ESPN television and will be streamed online on ESPN+.

Aryna Sabalenka's path to Australian Open women's final

  • Ranked No. 2 for tournament

  • 1st round: Defeated Ella Seidel, 6-0, 6-1

  • 2nd round: Defeated Brenda Fruhvirtova, 6-3, 6-2

  • 3rd round: Defeated Lesia Tsurenko, 6-0, 6-0

  • 4th round: Defeated Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 6-2

  • Quarterfinals: Defeated Barbora Krejcikova, 6-2, 6-3

  • Semifinals: Defeated Coco Gauff, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4

Zheng Qinwen's path to Australian Open women's final

  • Ranked No. 12 for tournament

  • 1st round: Defeated Ashlyn Kruger, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

  • 2nd round: Defeated Katie Boulter, 6-3, 6-3

  • 3rd round: Defeated Wang Yafan, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8)

  • 4th round: Defeated Oceane Dodin, 6-0, 6-3

  • Quarterfinals: Defeated Anna Kalinkskaya, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-1

  • Semifinals: Defeated Dayana Yastremska, 6-4, 6-4

Aryna Sabalenka-Zheng Qinwen head to head

Sabalenka and Zheng have faced each other just once, with Sabalenka winning at last year's U.S. Open.

What does Australian Open winner receive?

The prize pool for the Australian Open has increased to a record $10 million, which is a 13% increase from the 2023 event. The winners of the men's and women's singles will each receive $3.15 million.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Australian Open women's final: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Zheng Qinwen