Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Marta Kostyuk: Celebrating a Thrilling Third Title at Brisbane International!

Aryna Sabalenka showcased her exceptional talent this week at the Brisbane International, where she did not drop a set throughout the tournament. “Every day you go out there and prove your level, and I think this week I did it really well,” Sabalenka remarked, demonstrating confidence as she gears up for the Australian Open. Looking ahead, she emphasized her determination, stating, “The only thing I know is that I’ll be there, I’ll be fighting.”

Last year, Sabalenka faced disappointment at Melbourne Park, losing to Madison Keys in the final after claiming the championship in 2023 and 2024. This year, she aims to go further, declaring, “I’ll do my best to go as far as possible…and do a little bit better than last year. That’s my focus.”

Her victory in Brisbane was not without challenges. Marta Kostyuk faced Sabalenka in the final, having previously struggled against her with four defeats that included no set wins. After canceling out an early break of serve, momentum shifted as Sabalenka increased her intensity, ultimately claiming the first set after breaking Kostyuk in the 10th game.

Kostyuk, the 16th seed, was chasing her second WTA singles title in what was her first final in two years. However, the pressure proved too much, and a crucial break at the start of the second set paved the way for Sabalenka’s victory. Kostyuk’s emotional response was palpable as she addressed the Brisbane crowd, sharing her heartache over the ongoing situation in her home country, Ukraine. “I want to say a few words about Ukraine,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I play every day with a pain in my heart. There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now. It’s minus 20 degrees outside, so it’s very, very painful to live this reality every day.” She contrasted the warm conditions in Brisbane with her sister’s struggle at home, where she sleeps under three blankets due to the cold.

For Sabalenka, the win marked her 22nd WTA title and her first since her triumph at the US Open in September. Meanwhile, in other tournament results, Great Britain’s world number two Alfie Hewett dominated the men’s wheelchair singles final, taking just 65 minutes to defeat Spain’s second seed Martin de la Puente with a score of 6-1, 6-3. However, British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool faced a setback in the men’s doubles final, losing a tightly contested match 6-3, 3-6, 10-8 to third seeds Francisco Cabral from Portugal and Austria’s Lucas Miedler.

As the tennis world shifts its focus to the upcoming Australian Open, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to see if she can translate her Brisbane success into a deeper run and possibly a title in Melbourne.

Original Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cy59rddr7klo
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Publish Date: 2026-01-11 14:01:00