Right on cue, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her 2024 season with a bang, overcoming Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova to win the Brisbane International title on Sunday. The defending champion at the Australian Open settled down after a slow start to win, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and take her first trophy of the season.
Sabalenka was the one who lost last year’s Brisbane final to Elena Rybakina and then went on to win the Australian Open, and she had a tough time early on with Kudermetova. The world No. 107 broke Sabalenka’s serve twice to grab the opening set, showing little sign of nerves in her first WTA final.
But Sabalenka settled into the rhythm of the match in the second set. A key break with a drop shot on match point swung the momentum in her favor, and she started to hit winners from the baseline and take charge, forcing a decider.
In the third set, though, the Belarusian star played like herself, breaking Kudermetova with a powerful, cross-court forehand. But despite a late fightback from the Russian Sabalenka held firm to seal the win in front of an electric Pat Rafter Arena crowd.
The win gives her a confidence boost going into Sabalenka’s Australian Open title defense, and reaffirms her place as one of the key contenders for the first Grand Slam title of the year.
