Meet the new Kudermetova and the same old Sabalenka
This week was also marked by a possible breakthrough. It belonged to Polina Kudermetova, 21 years old, 106th, Veronika’s younger sister. In her seven wins in Brisbane (two in qualifying), she beat 13th-seeded Samsonova and third-seeded Kasatkina to advance to the final. There, she led WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 2-1 and earned a break point for 3-1.
Until then, Kudermetova, despite her slight frame, had been the most accurate and penetrating ball-striker, and had furthermore shown an incredibly deceptive drop shot. Then, with a chance to go back a set and a break, she took her first tight swing and threw a backhand wide. Sabalenka, as No. 1s tend to do, didn’t let her get away with it. She held, broke and most importantly reached her first title of 2025 from there.
Read more: Aryna Sabalenka turns up the heat to win Brisbane International title
Kudermetova is a new player to watch, while Sabalenka remains the best player in women’s soccer and the favorite to repeat at the Australian Open.
