Seventh heaven: world No.1 flexes in Brisbane defence
Murray Wenzel |
A flexing Aryna Sabalenka has sealed her Brisbane International defence with a cheeky celebration as her Australian Open redemption mission hit the next gear.
The world No.1 beat in-form Marta Kostyuk to defend her Brisbane International title, staring down the court and kissing both biceps after sealing the contest 6-4 6-3 on Sunday.
It was her fifth title from seven consecutive finals appearances in the country and came after the Ukrainian suggested in October “some have a higher level of testosterone” and that Sabalenka was “much bigger than me, much taller than me, much stronger than me”.
Sabelanka described the comments as “excuses” last year, but said on Sunday her celebrations were aimed at her coaching staff, not her opponent.
“During the game I made a lot of aggressive, heavy winners,” she explained.
“I was just making fun with my team.”
Indeed, a packed Pat Rafter Arena witnessed a combination of power, precision and defence as Sabalenka deflected the Ukrainian’s valiant attempts to overpower her.
It took a red-hot Madison Keys to stop her from winning a third straight major at Melbourne Park last year.
She won in Adelaide in 2023, and was beaten in Brisbane a year later by an on-song Elena Rybakina.
Sunday showed it will likely require something similar to deny Sabalenka a fifth grand slam title this month.
Her power game remains, but the 27-year-old has refined her skills, with angles on serve and a confident volley features at Queensland Tennis Centre in the past week.
World No.28 Kostyuk had beaten three top-10 players to reach the final, then rallied from a break in the first game to trade blows with Sabalenka.
Back on serve at 4-5 in the first set, Sabalenka rifled two backhand winners to create two set points, then sealed it with an angled cross-court forehand that Kostyuk couldn’t control.
The Ukrainian tested Sabalenka’s serve after the resumption but came up short and, after spraying a backhand, quickly found herself trailing 2-0.
It was business-like from there for Sabalenka on her way to a 22nd career title in an hour and 17 minutes.
Sabalenka gave Kostyuk high praise in the post-match presentation, before putting the pressure on her boyfriend to propose.
Kostyuk, who followed tennis custom by not shaking hands at the net with the Belarusian and didn’t mention Sabalenka’s name at all, took the chance to reflect on her family’s plight in Ukraine.
“I play every day with a pain in my heart,” she said.
“There is thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now.
“It’s minus-20 degrees outside. It’s very painful to live this reality every day.
“It’s very hot here in Brisbane, so it’s difficult to imagine this, but my sister is sleeping under three blankets because of how cold it is back home.
“I was incredibly moved to see so many Ukrainian flags and fans this week, too.
“I want to thank all the opponents I played this week. You guys pushed me to be better every day.”
AAP
