Marie Mahé, Media365, published on Sunday January 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
This Sunday, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 1, opened her season titles counter by winning the Brisbane tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka is in good shape. This Sunday, the Belarusian, world number 1 and seeded number 1, won the WTA tournament in Brisbane in Australia, on hard court, after her stunning victory in the final against the Russian Polina Kudermetova, 107th player in the world and former qualifying, in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) and 1h49 of play. Everything started badly for the Belarusian. In the first set, however, it was Aryna Sabalenka who broke first, at 1-1, before missing two double-break opportunities in the process. Just after, the world No. 1 saw her opponent return to 3-3 after having in turn given up her serve. At 4-5, the number 1 seed was forced to save a new break point, synonymous, this time, with a set point, before giving in on the second and last, to find himself trailing a set to zero. (6-4). In the second set, the Belarusian missed two break opportunities at the start, before saving a ball, in turn, at 1-2. In the process, Aryna Sabalenka managed the break, before a second, this time blank, at 5-3, to equalize, at the same time, at one set all (6-3).
Sabalenka wins her 18th title
Finally, in the third and final round, the world No. 1 achieved a blank break from the start. The last three games were then just a succession of breaks. At the finish, it was the number 1 seed who had the last word (6-2). Polina Kudermetova, younger sister of Veronika (former 9th in the world now 72nd), played her very first final on the WTA circuitbut she will still have to wait to hope to open her meter. If she continues with the qualifications for the Australian Open, the Russian will jump up the rankings, gaining 50 places, to find herself 57th. For her part, Aryna Sabalenka, solid world No. 1, won the 18th title of her career, for her 32nd final. A good omen before the Australian Open where she is the double title holder.
