World number one Aryna Sabalenka has secured her place in the Brisbane International final for the third consecutive year, setting up a Sunday showdown with Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. The Belarusian star displayed her formidable power to overcome Karolina Muchova in straight sets at Pat Rafter Arena.
Sabalenka's Commanding Path to the Final
In a commanding semi-final performance, Sabalenka defeated Czech player Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4. The top seed clinched victory on her fourth match point, sealing the win when a Muchova shot sailed long. This triumph follows her dominant quarter-final win, a rematch of last year's Australian Open final, where she broke Madison Keys in five consecutive service games for a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
"I always try to stay in the present," Sabalenka remarked after her semi-final. "I worked really hard and each match against her is just another opportunity to get the win. I'm super happy that today was the day when I was able to get the win. She is such a great player and I always enjoy battles against her."
Kostyuk's Stunning Run Continues
Awaiting Sabalenka in the final is the in-form Marta Kostyuk, who produced a stunning display to dismantle fourth seed Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3. This remarkable win marks Kostyuk's third consecutive victory over a top-10 ranked opponent. The statistic is made more impressive by the fact she entered the match with only one win from her five previous encounters with the American.
Alcaraz Draws First Blood in Rivalry with Sinner
Across the globe in South Korea, a fascinating exhibition match unfolded between the world's top two male players. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious against Italy's Jannik Sinner in the Hyundai Card Super Match, winning 7-5, 7-6(6).
The pair opted for this hard-court exhibition at Inspire Arena in Incheon instead of competing in traditional warm-up tournaments for the upcoming Australian Open, which begins on 18 January. The contest provided two highly entertaining and closely fought sets, with Alcaraz holding his nerve at crucial moments.
The match was notable for a delightful interruption in the second set. With Alcaraz leading, a young fan was invited onto the court. In a heart-warming moment, Sinner handed the fan his racket and took a seat in the spectator's chair. The replacement player managed to hit a forehand winner, registering a deuce, though it did not prevent Alcaraz from ultimately winning the game and closing out the match in a tie-break.
Looking Ahead to Melbourne
This result extends Alcaraz's control over their recent rivalry, having now won four of their last six meetings. For both Sabalenka and Alcaraz, these performances serve as a powerful statement of intent just weeks before the season's first Grand Slam in Melbourne. Sabalenka will aim to claim the Brisbane title for the first time, while both she and Alcaraz have firmly established themselves as leading contenders for Australian Open glory.
