World number one Aryna Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance to successfully defend her Brisbane International crown on Sunday, defeating Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. The Belarusian powerhouse secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the final, completing her title run without dropping a single set. This emphatic win serves as a powerful statement of intent ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 18, where Sabalenka aims to reclaim the Grand Slam trophy she lost last year.
Dominant Power Proves Too Much for Kostyuk
Despite Kostyuk's impressive path to the final, which included victories over top-10 players Jessica Pegula and others, she was ultimately overwhelmed by Sabalenka's sheer force. The US Open champion raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Although a dip in her first serve allowed Kostyuk to fight back to 3-3, Sabalenka quickly recalibrated. She cut down on errors and unleashed her trademark powerful and accurate groundstrokes to heap pressure on the 26th-ranked Ukrainian, swiftly closing out the first set.
The second set followed a similar script, with Sabalenka again breaking Kostyuk's opening service game to jump ahead 3-0. From there, the outcome seemed inevitable. Kostyuk struggled to hold her serve under relentless pressure, and Sabalenka sealed her 22nd WTA Tour title when a Kostyuk return found the net on the first championship point.
Emotional Moments On and Off the Court
During the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka shared a heartfelt thanks to her team, joking about her difficult nature. "Thank you to my team for handling me. I'm really the toughest one to handle, and you guys are the toughest people in the world if you can handle me," she said. She also directed a playful yet pointed comment at her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, in the stands: "Thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully, soon I'll call you something else, right? Let's just put a bit of extra pressure on."
In a poignant contrast, Marta Kostyuk used her moment to speak about the ongoing war in her homeland. "I play every day with a pain in my heart," she expressed. "There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water. Right now it's minus 20 degrees outside... my sister is sleeping under three blankets because of how cold it is at home." Her words highlighted the stark reality she carries onto the court each day.
A Formidable Favorite for Melbourne
Sabalenka's dominant display in the fierce Brisbane heat signals she will be the player to beat at Melbourne Park. Her game, built on devastating power and improved consistency, appears perfectly tuned. She is now determined to win back the Australian Open title and secure a third triumph in Melbourne and a fifth major championship overall. With her current form and confidence, the Belarusian has firmly established herself as the top contender for the year's first Grand Slam.
