Elena Rybakina wins Brisbane International title by defeating Sabalenka

World No. 4 tennis star Elena Rybakina won the sixth title of her career and first title of the season at the Brisbane International by defeating World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-0, 6-3 in the final on Sunday. Elina Rybakina is the ninth woman to become WTA singles champion in Brisbane. The world number four completed her campaign against Sabalenka in the 2024 final. With her win over the reigning Australian Open champion, Rybakina ended Sabalenka's 15-match winning streak in Australia.

Sabalenka and Rybakina had reached Sunday's final after not losing a single set in Brisbane. The Brisbane final proved to be a different contest between the tournament's top seeds, with Rybakina taking the first set in just 24 minutes. It took until the second game of the second set for Sabalenka to get points on the scoreboard, but Rybakina performed brilliantly with controlled power and her trademark composure.

Rybakina said after the win that it is always difficult to play against Sabalenka, regardless of the score. We always inspire each other, which I think is great. Hopefully, we will meet at the Australian Open in Melbourne. I think it's going to be a big fight again.