Australian Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka owes title defence to fun off ...

The world number two has been in devastating form over the past fortnight and she carried that into the final, where she needed just 76 minutes to defeat Chinese 12th seed Zheng.

Sabalenka lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup without having dropped a set in her seven matches at Melbourne Park.

A player who struggled for consistency in the earlier parts of her career, Sabalenka was known for double faulting at crucial moments and becoming emotional when matches were not going her way.

"There was a moment where I really didn't believe that I'm going win it [a major] one day," she said.

"There was a lot of up and downs, but I just couldn't quit."

Four months ago Sabalenka was seen smashing her racquet on the floor of the locker room after losing the US Open final to American Coco Gauff.

"There is not going to be big wins without really tough losses," said Sabalenka.

"Of course I was very down after those matches. I was crying, I was smashing the racquet, as we see. I was really crazy."

When the pair met again in the semi-finals in Australia, Sabalenka kept her emotions in check despite letting a 5-2 lead slip in the opening set.

"I'm more controlled and don't let the rest of the things come to my mind, and I was focusing on myself. So I think it's a big difference," she added.

"Even if I'm down in the score in my serve or even if someone breaks me, I am not getting crazy like I used to.

"I have this belief that no matter what happen, I'm able to fight for it."