January 05, (THEWILL) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka demonstrated her championship calibre with a determined 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova in the Brisbane International final, establishing strong momentum before her Australian Open title defence.
The Belarusian tennis star encountered initial difficulties, surrendering her service game twice in the opening set against the world number 107. Kudermetova capitalised on these opportunities, claiming the first set with conviction.
The momentum shifted in the second set when Sabalenka executed a precise drop shot to break serve.
This pivotal moment transformed her performance, enabling the 26-year-old to dominate the remainder of the set and force a decisive third frame.
In the final set, Sabalenka’s powerful crosscourt forehand proved instrumental in securing a crucial break.
Despite a late resistance from Kudermetova, the defending Australian Open champion maintained her composure to pick her first trophy of 2025.
Tennis enthusiasts now turn their attention to Melbourne Park, where the Australian Open commences on January 12, with Sabalenka seeking to retain her crown at the year’s first Grand Slam event.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
