Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after successful the Brisbane Worldwide tennis event. Picture: AFP
BRISBANE:
World primary Aryna Sabalenka warmed up for a tilt at a 3rd Australian open title in 4 years in ominous trend by successful her second successive Brisbane Worldwide crown on Sunday.
Sabalenka scored a dominant 6-4, 6-3 win over Marta Kostyuk in simply 78 minutes.
“Every single day you go on the market and show your stage, and I believe this week I did it very well,” mentioned Sabalenka after a event by which she powered to the title with out dropping a set.
Waiting for the Australian Open, which begins subsequent Sunday, Sabalenka mentioned: “The one factor I do know is that I will be there, I will be combating.”
Salablenka misplaced within the Melbourne Park last final yr to Madison Keys, having been Australian Open champion in 2023 and 2024.
“I will do my finest to go so far as attainable,” mentioned Sabalenka. “And perform a little bit higher than final yr. That is my focus.”
Kostyuk, the world quantity 26, had loved a spectacular week, beating three high 10 gamers on the best way to the ultimate.
However she had no reply to the ability of Sabalenka and the Ukrainian’s serve, so dependable within the early rounds, additionally went off the boil.
Sabalenka was not often troubled on her personal supply and confronted solely three break factors.
The 27-year-old Belarusian mentioned she had tried to introduce new parts to her recreation so she wasn’t relying simply on energy, and that had paid off this week.
Ukraine highlight
“I lastly discovered the contact recreation,” she mentioned.
“I figured one thing and I type of modified my recreation model — now I am not solely the aggressive participant, I can play on the web, I could be in defence, I can use my slice, I’ve contact.
“I am tremendous blissful to see that issues are clicking collectively.”
There was animosity between the 2 gamers previously.
Like many Ukraine gamers, Kostyuk refuses to shake palms with Russians or Belarusians due to the struggle in her homeland.
There was no handshake on the finish of the Brisbane last and in her speech on the trophy presentation, Kostyuk introduced up the scenario in Ukraine.
“I play daily with a ache in my coronary heart and there are literally thousands of people who find themselves with out gentle and heat water proper now,” she mentioned.
“It is minus 20 levels exterior and it’s extremely painful to stay this actuality daily.”
Sabalenka mentioned she wasn’t involved by Kostyuk’s angle in direction of her.
“It is their place, what can I do?,” she requested.
“Once I go on the market, I take into consideration my tennis and the issues I’ve to do to get the win.
“It would not matter if it is Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula there. I’ve nothing to show. I’m going there and I simply compete as an athlete.”
Kostyuk advised reporters she was decided to maintain what is occurring in Ukraine within the public eye.
“I believe it is vital for me to make use of my platform in the precise approach, and my platform is Ukraine, as a result of I characterize Ukraine,” she mentioned.
“So I believe it is actually vital to speak about that.”
