Aryna Sabalenka warmed up for the Australian Open by beating Marta Kostyuk easily to win her third Brisbane International title.
The world number one took charge of the final after a tight start, winning five games in a row and sealing a 6-4 6-3 victory in just 79 minutes. She did not drop a set all week and successfully defended the title she also won in 2023.
The 27-year-old Belarusian says the win is perfect preparation as she targets a third Australian Open title in four years when the tournament begins in Melbourne on 18 January.
Kostyuk competed well early on but struggled to cope with Sabalenka’s power as the match went on. After losing the first set, one early break in the second was enough for Sabalenka to finish the job.
Sabalenka’s win is her 22nd WTA title and her first since lifting the US Open trophy in September.
In other Brisbane finals, Daniil Medvedev beat Brandon Nakashima to win the men’s title, while Britain’s Alfie Hewett claimed the men’s wheelchair singles crown.
