Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said at the Australian Open Friday that she is getting “closer and closer” to Aryna Sabalenka, having been well beaten in last year’s final by the big-hitting Belarusian. The 22-year-old Chinese lost her first major final 6-3, 6-2.

A crushing defeat by Aryna Sabalenka in last year's Australian Open final sent Zheng Qinwen into a tailspin last season and a year on the young Chinese talent is yet to overcome her Belarusian nemesis.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is enjoying life as she started the year by winning the 2025 Brisbane International title and is now eyeing to bag her third Australian Open title.

Find the 2025 women’s Australian Open odds. Aryna Sabalenka is the favorite to win the Aussie Open at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka will bid for a third Australian Open title in succession as if she was going for her first, having dropped the defending champion mindset to great success last year. The world number o