The world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player dominated Sunday’s final in Brisbane, dispatching her opponent in just 79 minutes with a commanding performance. Sabalenka captured her third title at the Queensland Tennis Centre, extending her recent dominance on the Australian hard courts and solidifying her status heading into the upcoming major tournament.
In the opening set, the Belarusian player broke through decisively at 4-4, winning five consecutive games to secure control of the match. Her aggressive baseline play proved too much for Kostyuk to handle, and the first set concluded 6-4. The second set followed a similar pattern, with one early break of serve providing all the separation needed for a 6-3 victory.
Throughout the entire tournament, Sabalenka did not drop a single set, showcasing the consistency and power that have defined her rise to the top ranking. This latest victory marks her 22nd WTA title overall and represents her first triumph since winning the US Open in September. The Queensland venue holds particular significance, as she previously claimed the championship there in 2023.
Kostyuk’s performance crumbled under pressure from Sabalenka’s devastating groundstrokes. The 16th-seeded Ukrainian had never won a set against her opponent in four previous encounters and continued that streak throughout the final. This was her first final in two years, making it her fourth WTA final appearance and an opportunity for a second career singles title that ultimately slipped away.
Following her loss, Kostyuk addressed the Brisbane crowd emotionally, directing attention to the difficult circumstances facing her country. She spoke about the freezing conditions at home in Ukraine, where infrastructure damage from military operations has left many without adequate heating and water supplies during the harsh winter season.
Sabalenka enters the Australian Open with momentum and confidence. The 27-year-old previously won the prestigious Melbourne tournament in 2023 and 2024 but fell short in last year’s final to Madison Keys. She expressed determination to improve upon that result, stating her focus remains on advancing as far as possible in the upcoming championship.
