Aryna Sabalenka sent a clear message to the rest of the field in Brisbane. The world number one overpowered Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to retain the Brisbane International title and head into the Australian Open full of belief. In punishing heat and rising tension, Sabalenka once again proved she is the player to beat.
The Pat Rafter Arena buzzed with expectation as Sabalenka chased a second straight Brisbane crown. She delivered with a 6-4, 6-3 win that never truly slipped from her control. It was her 22nd WTA title and another step in a dominant start to the season.
This victory carried deeper meaning. Sabalenka had reached the Brisbane final for the third year in a row and did not drop a set all week. It underlined her consistency and comfort on Australian hard courts ahead of Melbourne.
Kostyuk arrived in the final full of confidence. The Ukrainian had beaten Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova on her run, all in straight sets. Yet Sabalenka’s raw power and match control proved a different challenge.
The opening set showed brief signs of vulnerability. Sabalenka surged to a 3-0 lead before her first serve dipped and Kostyuk attacked the second with sharp returns and delicate drop shots. The world number one steadied herself at 3-3 and reset her game.
From that point, Sabalenka simplified her approach. She reduced risk, struck cleaner groundstrokes, and pushed Kostyuk deep behind the baseline. The first set slipped away in 40 minutes as the pressure mounted.
The second set followed a familiar script. Sabalenka broke early again and imposed herself physically in the heavy Brisbane humidity. Kostyuk battled to hold serve but could not stop the flow.
The match ended after one hour and 17 minutes when Kostyuk netted a return on Sabalenka’s first championship point. The reaction was calm rather than explosive, a sign of a champion who expects to win.
Sabalenka later thanked those around her with a smile. “Thank you to my team for handling me. I’m really the toughest one to handle,” she said. She then added with a grin, “Thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully, soon I’ll call you something else, right?”
The post-match atmosphere was tense. Sabalenka kissed her biceps toward Kostyuk, a nod to past comments that have strained their relationship. The handshake was brief and the ceremony felt cold.
Kostyuk used her moment to speak about Ukraine. “I play every day with a pain in my heart,” she said. “There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water.” Her words drew quiet respect from the crowd.
For Sabalenka, the focus now shifts to Melbourne. She will chase a third Australian Open and a fifth Grand Slam when the tournament begins on January 18.
