BRISBANE: World number one Aryna Sabalenka enjoyed the perfect warm-up for next week’s Australian Open when she downed Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova to win the Brisbane International on Sunday.

After finishing runner-up in Brisbane in 2024, Sabalenka won the 18th title of her career with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over a gallant Kudermetova in 1hr 47min.

In the men’s final, 21-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka claimed his second ATP title when US opponent Reilly Opelka pulled out with a wrist injury while trailing 1-4.

It was an ideal start to the season for Sabalenka, who will be aiming for her third straight Australian Open crown in Melbourne.

“I definitely can take a lot of things from this week heading into the Australian Open,” Sabalenka said.

“I definitely feel my game is pretty well. Mentally, physically I’ll be ready to go at the Australian Open. Having this trophy going to the major, it’s really important.”

Australia has become a happy hunting ground for the 26-year-old, who has also won in Adelaide along with her two Australian Open crowns.

“I’m just excited -- I love playing here,” she said. “That’s the conditions where I feel really comfortable in.”

The 21-year-old Kudermetova was playing her eighth match of the tournament after having to win two rounds of qualifying just to make the main draw.

A delicate drop shot handed Sabalenka the break, and the 26-year-old appeared much more like her usual dominant self in the rest of the set as she forced a decider, much to the delight of fans at a packed Pat Rafter Arena.

Sabalenka offered another reminder of her class by breaking in the deciding set with a neat crosscourt forehand winner and staved off a late comeback attempt from Kudermetova to win her first title of the season.Meanwhile, the huge-serving Opelka was in trouble as early as his first service game, which he dropped to Lehecka.

He tried to continue but at 1-4 he walked to the net to concede.

“Unfortunately my back’s been giving me some issues,” he said. We worked on it all day but unfortunately it wasn’t right to compete but I hope to come back next year and redeem myself.”

The 6-foot 11-inch (2.11m) Opelka spent nearly two years on the sidelines due to wrist and hip issues that needed surgery and only returned to the elite circuit last season.The Australian Open begins on Jan. 12.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025