Brisbane International: Marta Kostyuk falls behind as Sabalenka dominates again

BRISBANE: Aryna Sabalenka continued her blistering start to the season, capturing her second consecutive Brisbane International trophy with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory over Marta Kostyuk at Pat Rafter Arena. The match lasted just 1 hour and 17 minutes, but it showcased everything fans have come to expect from the Belarusian star: power, precision, and unshakable focus.

Sabalenka maintained her intensity throughout, keeping her eyes locked on Kostyuk and firing winners from all corners of the court. As the final point landed, she celebrated with a bold bicep kiss, a playful response to Kostyuk’s earlier comments about her strength and high testosterone levels.

The post-match atmosphere was a mix of tension and respect. Kostyuk used her speech to highlight the struggles in her homeland of Ukraine, thanking the fans who waved flags and showed support throughout the week. Sabalenka, in turn, congratulated her opponent and expressed eagerness to meet her again in a future final. Adding a personal touch, she teased her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, with a cheeky remark about “hopefully soon I will call you somehow else,” leaving the crowd smiling.

With this fifth title on Australian soil, Sabalenka is sending a clear message to the WTA: she is a dominant force in 2026, combining raw power with fierce competitiveness, and her Brisbane streak proves she’s not slowing down anytime soon.