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…
