Sabalenka Defends Brisbane Title, Dominates Kostyuk in WTA 500 Final

Sabalenka Starts 2026 with Brisbane Title Repeat, Sends Australian Open Warning by Beating Kostyuk

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Adrien Guyot

le 11/01/2026 à 07h59

2 min to read

Brisbane Kostyuk Marta Sabalenka Aryna

Time for the final of the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane. After Elina Svitolina's triumph in Auckland, Ukrainian tennis could have achieved a nice double to start the year, but the task looked particularly tough for Marta Kostyuk against Aryna Sabalenka.

The defending champion in the Australian city, the world number 1 had never lost to her opponent in four previous meetings. However, this one promised to be the most uncertain of all, as Kostyuk has been impressive since the start of the week in Brisbane.

After a warm-up set against Yulia Putintseva in her opening match, the world number 26 then won three consecutive matches without dropping a set against Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula to reach her fourth professional tour final.

Solid Sabalenka Triumphs in Brisbane for the Second Time in a Row

The Belarusian started the match very well and quickly led 3-0, but Kostyuk immediately broke back to give herself a chance in the first set. The world number 1 then accelerated at 4-4 to win the last two games and take the lead on the scoreboard.

Same story in the second set, Sabalenka quickly took control. But the 27-year-old player learned from her mistake in the first set and did not let her advantage slip away again.

In the end, Sabalenka logically prevailed in two sets (6-4, 6-3 in 1h18). The WTA tour leader retains the title she won against Polina Kudermetova last year and claims the 22nd title of her career.

Return to the Top 20 Secured for Kostyuk

In five encounters against Kostyuk, she still hasn't lost a single set. Sabalenka starts 2026 by already winning a title and prepares optimally for the Australian Open.

As for Kostyuk, she suffers a third defeat in four finals on the main tour but displayed a very high level of play throughout the week.

A former world number 16, she will return to the top 20 after her impressive run. Withdrawn from Adelaide, the Ukrainian will now prepare for the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2024.