Overview
- Aryna Sabalenka beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour 17 minutes to defend her Brisbane International title without dropping a set.
- The triumph is Sabalenka’s 22nd WTA title, ranking third among active players behind Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek.
- Kostyuk’s run to the final featured straight-sets victories over Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova.
- The post-match ceremony was tense as there was no handshake, Sabalenka made a biceps-kissing gesture, and Kostyuk spoke about the humanitarian hardships in Ukraine.
- Brisbane is a WTA 500 tune-up for the Australian Open starting January 18, where Sabalenka aims to reclaim the Melbourne title.