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Zheng Qinwen's coach says he's never met a player who trains harder than his Chinese charge, who is out to upset Open title favourite Aryna Sabalenka.

Having helped guide Coco Gauff to her first grand slam title last year, coach Pere Riba believes emerging Chinese star Zheng Qinwen can pull off a shock Australian Open victory.

Zheng will start a long shot at Melbourne Park against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who hasn't dropped a set en route to Saturday night's final.

Zheng is looking to become the first Chinese woman since Li Na 10 years ago to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, with Riba confident the 21-year-old has the talent and work ethic to do so.

Former men's world No.65 Riba coached Zheng from 2021 until the duo split last year after the French Open, when he was replaced by Belgian Wim Fissette.

Riba joined Gauff's staff alongside co-coach Brad Gilbert.

However, Fissette subsequently teamed up with Naomi Osaka to oversee the two-time Australian Open champion's comeback after pregnancy - with Riba and Zheng reuniting in December.

During his time with Gauff, the teenager won her first major title at last year's US Open, with Riba saying he was using that "amazing experience" to steer Zheng in Melbourne.

Zheng's previous best result at a major was the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows last year, when she crashed 6-1 6-4 to Sabalenka - who went on to lose the final to Gauff.

Riba said Zheng, who has moved into the top 10 after her run at Melbourne Park, had improved since that performance.

"It will be a tough match for Qinwen, because Sabalenka is the favourite. But the evolution of Qinwen is ... every month she's better and better and better," he said.

"She (will) arrive with very good feelings, really motivated. If she plays her game, she will have her chances."

As well as delivering 165 winners, Zheng owns the most dangerous serve at the Australian Open - dishing up 48 aces on her run to the final, double the tally of third-ranked Sabalenka.

"Qinwen is serving really well - it's unbelievable the talent that she has," Riba said.

"She can toss the ball different, she can do different motions ... she can serve really good."

The Spanish coach also heralded his charge's commitment to training, which he said had been second to none since he took her on as a 17-year-old.

"I've never seen in my life a player with that work ethic, that always is ready for practice, a really hard worker," he said.

"I have to say sometimes we are getting angry, because she wants to do it more and I have to stop to her.

"Qinwen really wants to be there in the top. I'm really, really happy for her, because she deserves it."