World number one Aryna Sabalenka began her 2025 season on a high note, claiming the Brisbane International title with a gritty 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova. The 26-year-old from Belarus, returning to Brisbane after last year’s runner-up finish, showcased her readiness for the season’s first Grand Slam, where she aims to secure her third consecutive title.
The match saw Sabalenka drop her serve twice in the opening set, but she rebounded with a commanding performance in the latter stages, solidifying her status as a favorite for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Kudermetova, ranked 107th in the world, came into the final after an impressive run through qualifying and will see her ranking soar to 57. She surprised the top seed early, breaking Sabalenka’s serve twice to take the first set. Despite this, Sabalenka quickly adjusted her strategy, finding consistency and power in her game to turn the match around.
Sabalenka’s first-set struggles were evident, with just 65% of first-serve points won and a concerning 12 unforced errors. However, she displayed her ability to adapt, significantly improving her first-serve percentage to 92% in the second set while cutting unforced errors to just two.
The pivotal moment of the match came at 1-2 in the second set, where Sabalenka saved a critical break point. From there, she seized control, earning a decisive break for a 3-2 lead. She maintained her momentum to close out the set, forcing a decider.
An early break in the third set put Sabalenka firmly in the driver’s seat. Although Kudermetova managed a late break while Sabalenka was serving for the match, the Belarusian responded emphatically, closing out the match in one hour and 47 minutes.
Sabalenka’s triumph in Brisbane marks her 18th career title and a strong start to her 2025 season, setting the tone for her Australian Open title defense, which kicks off on January 12 at Melbourne Park. Last year, she fell short in the Brisbane final against Elena Rybakina but bounced back to claim her second consecutive Australian Open crown. This year, Sabalenka’s path to the Brisbane title showcased her dominance, as she overcame Renata Zarazua, Yulia Putintseva, Marie Bouzkova, and Mirra Andreeva before defeating Kudermetova in the final.
Women’s Tennis Blog