Sabalenka beats Kostyuk to win third Brisbane title
World number one Aryna Sabalenka clinched her third Brisbane International title with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk on Sunday. The Belarusian, who did not drop a set all week, took just 79 minutes to defend her crown and secure the perfect preparation for the upcoming Australian Open, where she aims to win her third title in four years.
Sabalenka broke a 4-4 deadlock in the first set by winning five consecutive games, showcasing the powerful groundstrokes that have made her the tour's most dominant hard-court player. "Every day you go out there and prove your level, and I think this week I did it really well," said Sabalenka, who has now won 22 WTA titles. Looking ahead to Melbourne, she added, "I'll do my best to go as far as possible. And do a little bit better than last year."
Kostyuk's Emotional Runner-Up Speech
For 16th-seeded Marta Kostyuk, the final marked her first title match in two years. While she competed resiliently early, she could not withstand Sabalenka's sustained pressure. In an emotional post-match address, Kostyuk spoke about the ongoing war in Ukraine, where infrastructure damage has left many without heat in freezing temperatures. "I play every day with a pain in my heart... It's very, very painful to live this reality every day," she told the Brisbane crowd, holding back tears.
Medvedev Ends Title Drought in Men's Final
In the men's draw, top seed Daniil Medvedev claimed his 22nd ATP title with a 6-2, 7-6(1) win over American Brandon Nakashima. The victory is Medvedev's second in three months, ending an 882-day title drought that lasted until last October. The 29-year-old Russian, a three-time Australian Open runner-up, will head to Melbourne with renewed confidence. In other results, Britain's Alfie Hewett dominated the wheelchair singles final, while the British pair of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool fell in a tight men's doubles championship match.
