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Sabalenka Retains Brisbane Title as Kostyuk Refuses Post‑Match Handshake

The world No. 1 points to a broader all‑court repertoire she intends to carry into the Australian Open.

Overview

  • Aryna Sabalenka beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 to win Brisbane for a second straight year, securing the 22nd title of her career.
  • Marta Kostyuk declined the customary handshake and later used her trophy speech to describe power outages and freezing conditions affecting people in Ukraine.
  • Sabalenka said she has added touch, net play, defense and slice to complement her power and plans to apply that approach in Melbourne.
  • After match point, Sabalenka kissed her biceps in celebration, a gesture some observers interpreted as provocative, according to local reports.
  • Kostyuk reached the final with a standout week that included wins over Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula.