Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt the Australian Open AGAIN with demonstration during the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen

Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted a second match at the Australian Open, this time disrupting the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.

Zheng – who was a set behind the defending champion – was preparing to serve to get himself on the board in the second set when the Rod Laver Arena was disrupted by shouts from a number of protesters.

The two demonstrators waved Palestinian flags before being quickly pulled away by members of the security forces.

Their cry of 'Free Palestine' was met with patient frustration by both players on the pitch – and with boos and jeers from the spectators watching the final.

After the one-minute break, Zheng was able to complete her serve but failed to force a third set, falling to Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2.

Two demonstrators stood up in the second set and shouted their message across the stadium

Zheng Qinwen was forced to wait as she prepared to hold serve for the first time in the second set

Saturday's protest marks the second time matches in Melbourne have been interrupted due to protests against the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Britain's Cameron Norrie saw his clash with Alexander Zverev interrupted by a lone protester throwing leaflets onto the pitch behind the German as he prepared to return Norrie's serve.

In that case, security was slow to intervene and the protester was eliminated by two spectators eager for the players to resume.

The pamphlets appeared to emphasize “war crimes and genocide” and carried the slogan “Liberate Palestine” in an attempt to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka had to watch and wait for play to resume

The demonstrators were removed by security to the sound of boos from throughout the stadium

A protester threw flyers in support of a 'Free Palestine' during Cameron Norrie's match in Melbourne on Monday

Norrie, who was preparing to serve for the match, appeared stunned by the disruption on the show court

“While you are watching tennis, bombs are falling on Gaza,” the pamphlet read.

Australia is a close ally of Israel. Australia is complicit in war crimes and genocide.”

In July, Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted matches at Wimbledon, with Norrie's compatriot Katie Boulter also falling victim to an unexpected delay.

Group member Willian John Ward ran onto Court 18 during Boulter's clash with Daria Saville and threw orange confetti onto the hallowed grass.

The protester had bypassed numerous security checkpoints set up in an attempt to derail protest efforts by bringing in the confetti in a Wimbledon jigsaw puzzle box.

Grigor Dimitrov's match against Sho Shumabukuro's match was also disrupted during a similar protest earlier in the day, but the use of ticker tape instead of the group's signature orange fabric allowed play to resume quickly in both matches.

After the protest, Mr Ward said: 'I don't like making noise but I don't want my grandchildren, nieces and nephews to suffer. Right now, millions of people are being forced outside the conditions necessary to sustain human life.”

Last year, Wimbledon was interrupted by protesters from Just Stop Oil, who threw orange confetti at Court 18

Katie Boulter was seen helping the ball boys and girls pick up orange confetti that had been thrown on the ground

After being escorted from court, Ward was later arrested on suspicion of serious trespass and criminal damage.

The ground tried to combat future – or inspired – protests in a similar manner by banning the sale of souvenir puzzles in the official Wimbledon store.