Sabalenka wins Brisbane final as post-match presentation turns frosty

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 to win the Brisbane International in 1 hour 17 minutes, and the trophy presentation featured a tense exchange between the players.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka captured her second consecutive Brisbane International title and her 22nd career title with a straight-sets win over Marta Kostyuk. The final ended 6-4, 6-3 after 1 hour and 17 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena. This was Sabalenka's third straight appearance in the Brisbane final. The tournament serves as a tuneup event ahead of the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 18. Match details: - Result: Aryna Sabalenka defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 in the Brisbane International final. - Duration and setting: The match lasted 1 hour and 17 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane. - On-court play: Kostyuk attacked the second serve early and used drop shots to recover an early break, while Sabalenka relied on sustained baseline rallies and intensity. - Conditions and effect: Reported humid conditions in Brisbane were noted as influencing long rallies and physical strain during the match. - Presentation exchange: The trophy ceremony was described as frosty; Kostyuk spoke about the situation in Ukraine and did not mention Sabalenka by name, while Sabalenka offered congratulations and made a light personal remark during her speech. Summary: Sabalenka's straight-sets victory completed a week in Brisbane in which she did not drop a set and secured back-to-back titles at the event. The final's post-match presentation reflected lingering tension between the players. Players now turn their focus to the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 18.