Dominant Sabalenka reaches Brisbane final
by Tom Rostance · BBC SportWorld number one Aryna Sabalenka reached the final of the Brisbane International for the third year in a row with a 6-3 6-4 win against Karolina Muchova.
Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open title in four years later this month and continued her preparations with a dominant victory to set up a final against Marta Kostyuk, who beat fourth seed Jessica Pegula 6-0 6-3.
A French Open runner-up in 2023, Czech Muchova had won her previous three matches against Sabalenka.
But Muchova had no answer to the Belarusian's power at the Queensland Tennis Centre and, although three match points slipped away, Sabalenka sealed victory when a Muchova shot sailed long.
"I'm super happy that today was the day when I was able to get the win," Sabalenka said.
"She is such a great player and I always enjoy battles against her."
Sabalenka has not lost a set in four meetings with Ukrainian Kostyuk, the world number 26. The final takes place on Sunday.
The Australian Open runs from 18 January to 1 February.
Switzerland reach United Cup final
Switzerland reached the final of the United Cup for the first time by beating Belgium 2-1 in Sydney.
They will face USA or Poland in the final of the mixed gender tournament after Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul beat Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs 6-3 0-6 10-5 after a match tie-break at the Ken Rosewall Arena.
Bencic, who beat Mertens in a thrilling three-set singles match earlier, has won all eight of her matches in United Cup history.
"It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders," she said.
"I was so stressed. I really wanted to do well and today I felt so much pressure to not let my team down."
USA beat Poland in last year's final.
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Published
16 August 2025