Sabalenka rallies past Kudermetova for Brisbane title

Bengaluru — 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 on Sunday.

Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to lift three consecutive Australian Open trophies since Swiss Martina Hingis won from 1997 to 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 2024’s final by Elena Rybakina before going on to win a second consecutive 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 No 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 said.

“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 shot handed Sabalenka the break, and the 26-year-old appeared a lot 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 cross court forehand winner and staved off a late comeback attempt from Kudermetova to win her first title of the season.

* Naomi Osaka's quest for a first title in four years ended in heartbreak as the former world No 1 retired with an injury after winning the opening set of the Auckland Classic final against Denmark’ Clara Tauson on Sunday.

Reuters