Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka geared up for her title defence at the year’s opening Grand Slam with a battling 4-6 6-3 6-2 win over Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova in the final of the Brisbane International yesterday.
Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to lift three straight Australian Open trophies since Swiss Martina Hingis won from 1997-1999, and she will head to Melbourne Park brimming with confidence.
“I’m super happy to lift this trophy,” said Sabalenka.
“It’s a really important tournament before heading into the Australian Open. The final match was a bit tricky, (both of us) were over-hitting.
“I’m really curious about the average speed of our shots. It was a crazy match, and I’m really glad I got this win.”
The world No.1 from Belarus, outclassed in last year’s final by Elena Rybakina before going on to win a second straight Melbourne Park crown, appeared off the pace against Kudermetova and lost the first set by dropping her serve for a second time.
Kudermetova came under pressure on serve in the opening game of the next set but the aggressive world number 107 rode out the storm and began to dictate play with more heavy hitting from the baseline to trouble Sabalenka.
“That was really great tennis from her,” Sabalenka told reporters after the match.
“It was really aggressive. She has some variations and she was using it really well. She definitely deserved to be in the final. I’m pretty sure if she continues working the way she is, then she will be in the top 50 soon.”
A delicate drop shotA delicate drop shot handed Sabalenka the break, and the 26-year-old appeared much more like her usual dominant self in the rest of the set as she forced a decider, much to the delight of fans at a packed Pat Rafter Arena.
Sabalenka offered another reminder of her class by breaking in the deciding set with a neat crosscourt forehand winner and staved off a late comeback attempt from Kudermetova to win her first title of the season. Czech Jiri Lehecka claimed the Brisbane men’s title yesterday after Reilly Opelka retired with an injury while trailing 4-1 in the opening set.
The American upset former world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final but appeared to struggle with a wrist issue in his semi-final win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
The 6-foot 11-inch (2.11m) Opelka spent nearly two years on the sidelines due to wrist and hip issues that needed surgery and only returned to the elite circuit last season.
The Australian Open begins on Jan 12.
Tauson wins Auckland title after injured Osaka retires
Naomi Osaka’s quest for a first title in four years ended in heartbreak as the former world number one retired with an injury after winning the opening set of the Auckland Classic final against Denmark’s Clara Tauson yesterday.
It was an anticlimactic finish to the match and Tauson said winning her third WTA Tour title after a similar drought did not gloss over the worst final that she had played.
“I have to say I’m really sorry about this final. Naomi was playing some great tennis. I just feel said about what happened today,” Tauson said.
“Of course, when I process this, I’m going to be super happy about my week,” Tauson added.
“I’m happy that I won, but not really.”
Osaka, who won the last of her four Grand Slam trophies at the Australian Open in 2021, returned to the circuit a year ago after a long maternity break, but struggled for consistency and ended the season ranked outside the top 50.
She showed glimpses of just how devastating she can be in Auckland and grabbed a double break against Tauson with powerful hitting on both flanks in the opening set, which she wrapped up 6-4, despite dropping serve late on.
But the 27-year-old from Japan had tears in her eyes as she had an apparent abdominal issue checked out on court before the start of the next set and threw in the towel, sparking concerns about her fitness for this month’s Australian Open.
She cut a more cheerful figure at the presentation ceremony, joking that skipping breakfast might have led to her defeat.
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city and I had a lot of fun playing here,” said Osaka, without going into any layer of detail about her problem.
“I’m really sorry about how it ended but I hope you enjoyed the tennis that we did play. I’m just grateful to be here.”
The Melbourne Park major, where Osaka has won two titles, will begin on Jan 12.