Belinda Bencic defeats Iga Swiatek at United Cup, Aryna Sabalenka crowned back-to-back champion at Brisbane International
Sabalenka wins back-to-back titles in Brisbane
Aryna Sabalenka’s bid to reclaim the Australian Open title got a big boost as the women’s world No.1 won the Brisbane International final in straight sets on Sunday night.
Sabalenka defeated Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 to claim back-to-back titles in Brisbane and while her clinical performance bodes well, she looks to win her fifth grand slam singles title in Melbourne from next week.
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her point against Marta Kostyuk.Credit: Getty Images
Sabalenka defeated Kostyuk in Ukraine’s first service match to take a 3-0 lead after just 12 minutes in the opening set.
Kostyuk managed to take the break to make it 3-3 after a shaky start that left her serve under pressure, but Sabalenka made a late break to win the first set 6-4 in 39 minutes.
Kostyuk’s campaign in Brisbane had been outstanding up to that point; The world No. 26 defeated three top-10 players (Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova) en route to the final.
But when the second set started similarly to the first, with Sabalenka taking a 3-0 lead and taking advantage of Kotyuk’s weaker second serve, it was a matter of when, not if, Sabalenka would secure the title.
It took Sabalenka just 1 hour and 18 minutes to complete the match; Kostyuk joins Carolina Muchova, Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea on the list of players Sabalenka sidelined en route to victory.
Ukrainian fans in the crowd at the Brisbane International final.Credit: Getty Images
Kostyuk ignored Belarusian player Sabalenka in his second-place speech and instead took time to thank his own team, tournament organizers and volunteers before focusing on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“I would like to say a few words about Ukraine,” he said.
“I play with a pain in my heart every day and right now there are thousands of people without light and warm water, it’s minus 20 degrees outside, so it’s very, very painful to live that reality every day.
“It’s very hot in Brisbane, so it’s hard to imagine, but my sister sleeps under three blankets because of the cold at home, so I was incredibly touched and happy to see so many Ukrainian fans and flags this week too.”
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.Credit: Getty Images
Sabalenka started her victory speech by congratulating her opponent.
“First of all, I would like to start by congratulating Marta and her team on an incredible start to the season,” he said.
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“I wish you all the best this season; it looks to be great tennis and I hope we will meet each other more times in the finals to show great tennis.”
Sabalenka is looking for redemption in Melbourne after losing to Madison Keys in last year’s final and will head into her first grand slam of the year undefeated.
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