BRISBANE: In the Brisbane International final, which was a replay of the Melbourne title match from the previous year, Elena Rybakina crushed Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 to send a stark reminder to the Australian tennis player ahead of her defence of the Australian Open title.
Despite entering the match riding a 15-match winning streak in Australia, world number two and top seed Sabalenka was thoroughly outmatched by the former Wimbledon champion on Pat Rafter Arena.
After three breakpoints, Rybakina completed the first set in twenty-four minutes, while Sabalenka, shaking her head in shock, sprayed 12 unforced mistakes all over the Queensland Tennis Centre exhibition court.
The Kazakh, who was born in Russia, won the first eight games in a row. It was the sixth WTA win for the world number four.
The second set began with the Kazakh breaking Sabalenka once more. Despite additional resistance from the Belarussian side, the Kazakh went on to win her sixth career victory after the Belarussian missed another forehand.
The world number four, who was born in Moscow, congratulated Aryna on a fantastic week and season last year. “Hopefully we will meet again in Melbourne,” she said at the on-court presentation ceremony.
“Playing you is never easy, no matter how good the score is. We push each other, which is fantastic, and I hope that keeps happening because it makes us better.
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The two shared two victories in their four meetings from the previous year, but Sabalenka prevailed in the crucial match to win her maiden Grand Slam championship in Melbourne.
“To be honest, I’m not sure where to begin,” Sabalenka said. “Elena, I’m not sure where to begin. Wow.” I appreciate those three games; at least we gave the impression that there was a fight.”A few remarks for my team: you didn’t do well today. 6-0 6-3, guys, it’s all your fault. We’re hoping to improve at the Australia Open.”
In the men’s final, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the former world number three, will face Danish top seed Holger Rune.
The Australian Open takes place from Sunday, January 28 to January 28.
