Sabalenka kept her preseason engine humming and booked a Brisbane final date that promises power, pace and just a little panic for opponents.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova to reach the Brisbane International final and will face Marta Kostyuk, who arrives having downed world number six Jessica Pegula, all part of a busy Australian Open warm-up calendar.
Sabalenka Cruises Through To Final
Sabalenka outclassed Karolina Muchova to secure a tidy win recorded as 6-3 6-4 in the Brisbane semifinal, showcasing the blend of raw power and delicate touch that has defined her recent form.
The world number one had already dispatched reigning Melbourne Park champion Madison Keys in straight sets in the quarterfinals, a result that underlined she is matching practice with results as the Australian Open approaches.
Muchova was expected to pose a tactical challenge thanks to her inventive game, and she arrived with a reported psychological edge having led the head-to-head record prior to the match, but Sabalenka managed to impose her rhythm early on.
Marta Kostyuk arrives in Brisbane in confident fashion after a convincing 6-0 6-3 win over Jessica Pegula, the latest in a run that the report calls her third straight top-10 win, following victories over Amanda Anisimova and Mirra Andreeva.
“There were a lot of close misses at the end of the second set but I’m super happy to close this match in straight sets,”
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka admitted the second set had tight moments but was relieved to seal the win without a deciding set, and she converted what the report describes as her fourth match point to finish the contest.
The Belarusian will carry confidence into Melbourne, described as a four-time Grand Slam winner with her sights on a possible third Australian Open trophy when the main draw begins on January 18 at Melbourne Park.
Head-To-Head And Critical Moments
Coming in, Muchova held a reported 3-1 edge in the pair’s head-to-head, including wins across their previous three meetings, but the semifinal in Brisbane saw Sabalenka rewrite that short script with cleaner, more direct aggression.
Sabalenka grabbed an early break in the second game to take control and then finished the opening set with a huge backhand winner, a shot that neatly summed up her ability to mix power with precision under pressure.
The second set proved tighter and featured late-game intensity, but Sabalenka edged ahead at 5-4 and managed to wrap up the match on serve, refusing to allow Muchova a late opening that might have tilted momentum.
Other Tune-Ups And Tour Action
In the Brisbane men’s draw, Brandon Nakashima beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6(4) 6-4, while compatriot Alex Michelsen lost 6-4 6-2 to top seed Daniil Medvedev, leaving American hopes mixed as the season begins.
At the Auckland Classic, Alexandra Eala squandered a match point and China’s Wang Xinyu advanced after a 5-7 7-5 6-4 comeback, with Wang set to meet Elina Svitolina after Svitolina defeated Iva Jovic 7-6(5) 6-2.
In Hong Kong the top seed Lorenzo Musetti edged Andrey Rublev 6-7(3) 7-5 6-4 to reach his final, while Alexander Bublik overcame Marcos Giron 3-6 6-4 6-2, setting up contrasting stylistic options for the title match.
Looking ahead to the Brisbane final, the contest shapes up as a classic contrast: Sabalenka’s brute-force baseline game against Kostyuk’s variety and court craft, with serve and return fundamentals likely to decide the balance.
Sabalenka’s successful defence of her Brisbane title would add context to her Melbourne ambitions, while Kostyuk’s streak signals a teenager turning big wins into growing belief, a dangerous combination this early in the season.
Whether you prefer baseline bombs or crafty angles, the final on Sunday offers a tidy prescription for what to expect at Melbourne Park, and both players will view this as more than a warm-up; it is momentum collection with ranking and morale implications.
Join the conversation on Facebook.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
