World number one Aryna Sabalenka has launched her Australian summer in dominant fashion, successfully defending her Brisbane International title with a commanding straight-sets victory over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.
A Powerful Statement in Brisbane
The top-seeded Belarusian needed just one hour and 17 minutes to seal a 6-4, 6-3 win on Sunday at a packed Pat Rafter Arena. The victory was her 22nd career title and her fifth from seven consecutive finals appearances on Australian soil. After converting her final match point, a steely-eyed Sabalenka turned to her team and celebrated by kissing both of her biceps—a gesture she later described as playful fun with her coaches.
"During the game I made a lot of aggressive, heavy winners," Sabalenka explained post-match. "I was just making fun with my team." The celebration, however, carried added significance following Kostyuk's contentious comments last October, where the Ukrainian suggested some players had "a higher level of testosterone" and noted Sabalenka was "much bigger, much taller, much stronger" than her. Sabalenka had previously dismissed such remarks as "excuses."
Refined Power Paves the Way to Victory
The final was a showcase of Sabalenka's refined and formidable game. While her signature power was ever-present, the 27-year-old displayed improved angles on serve and confident volleying throughout the week in Brisbane. This blend of brute force and tactical precision proved too much for the in-form Kostyuk, who had beaten three top-10 players to reach the championship match.
After Kostyuk rallied from an early break in the first set, Sabalenka slammed the door shut at 5-4. She rifled two backhand winners to earn set points and sealed the opener with a sharply angled cross-court forehand that her opponent could not control. Sabalenka broke immediately in the second set and maintained a business-like focus to close out the match, underlining her status as the woman to beat heading to Melbourne Park.
Contrasting Emotions in the Aftermath
The post-match presentations highlighted the starkly different realities for the two athletes. Sabalenka offered high praise for her opponent before humorously shifting focus to her personal life, putting pressure on her boyfriend to propose.
Kostyuk, who followed tennis custom by not shaking hands with the Belarusian at the net and did not mention Sabalenka by name, took a poignant moment to reflect on the war in Ukraine. "I play every day with a pain in my heart," Kostyuk said. "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." She expressed gratitude for the support of Ukrainian fans and flags seen throughout the week in Brisbane.
With this statement win, Sabalenka's Australian Open redemption mission is firmly in gear. Her run to the final was halted last year by a red-hot Madison Keys. Now, with her power game finely tuned and confidence soaring, the message from Brisbane is clear: it will take something special to deny Aryna Sabalenka a second Grand Slam title this month.
