Aryna Sabalenka is back in the winner’s circle as she grabbed the Adelaide International 1 title without dropping a set all week in Australia. In the final, the Belarusian defeated 18-year-old Czech qualifier Linda Noskova 6-3 7-6(4).
What a difference a year can make. Last season, Sabalenka competed in both the 500 and 250 level tournaments in Adelaide losing her opening match in each outing and hitting a total of 39 double faults between both matches. This time in Adelaide, she’s won her 11th WTA title and 8th at the WTA 500 level or higher. All but one Sabalenka’s title have come on hardcourts — that one exception is the 2021 Madrid Open triumph.
After a first-round bye at the Adelaide International 1, Sabalenka defeated Liudmila Samsonova in the second round, Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals, Irina-Camelia Begu in the semis, and finally world No.102 Noskova, whose magnificent week included victories over Daria Kasatkina, Victoria Azarenka and Ons Jabeur and who will now break into the Top 60.
Sabalenka’s winning apparel and shoes: the Nike Women’s Core One Luxe Tank, Nike Women’s Core Victory Straight Skirt, and NikeCourt Zoom NXT White/Silver Women’s Shoe. (photo: Jimmie48)
