Elena Rybakina thumps Aryna Sabalenka in Brisbane International final

Elena Rybakina has beaten Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 to claim the Brisbane International title. Photo: Getty
Elena Rybakina has trounced defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 to storm to the Brisbane International title.
The Kazakh world No.4 spent less than five hours on court in notching five impressive victories in the Queensland capital.
She put an eye-catching exclamation mark on her dominance in a one-sided final, reversing the result of last yearās tight three-set Melbourne Park decider.
Rybakina benefited from a mid-match withdrawal in the quarter-final but was untroubled in the season-opening tournament, clocking just four hours and 52 minutes under the bright lights.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion streaked to a 5-0 lead after just 18 minutes against Sabalenka, who had bossed her way to the final.
The pair will remain among the favourites in Melbourne from next Sunday but big-serving Rybakinaās stocks have soared as she chases a second major title.
āIād like to say congrats Aryna for a great week and great season last year and hopefully we meet in Melbourne,ā she said.
āDespite the score, itās always tough to play against you, we always push each other.ā
The Belarusian world No.2, who now leads their head to head 5-3, Ā could only laugh amid the onslaught though.0
She celebrated winning a point in the first game of the second set then kissed her hand and saluted the sky when she finally won a game in the second set.
āI donāt know where to start ⦠that was an interesting match, great job, thank you for those three games to at least make it look like a fight,ā Sabalenka laughed post-match.
āCouple of words to my team ā you did a bad job today. 6-0 6-3, thatās all your fault guys.
āIt is how it is. We showed some great tennis and hopefully weāll do better at the Australian Open.
āI just wanted you (the crowd) to save your energy for the menās final.ā
-AAP








