World number one Aryna Sabalenka delivered a powerful statement of intent ahead of the Australian Open, securing a straight-sets victory over the tricky Karolina Muchova to book her spot in the Brisbane International final for the third consecutive year. The semi-final clash on Saturday saw the Belarusian powerhouse win 6-3, 6-4 in a commanding 89-minute performance.
Sabalenka Reverses the Trend Against Muchova
The match carried an intriguing subplot, as the Czech player Karolina Muchova held a psychological edge, having won their last three encounters. She was one of the few players on tour with a winning record against the top-ranked Sabalenka. However, any thoughts of a repeat were swiftly dispelled as Sabalenka showcased her immense class and raw power from the outset.
Sabalenka broke Muchova's serve once in each set, controlling the rallies with her aggressive baseline game. She looked in imperious touch throughout, never allowing her opponent to settle into a rhythm. "I struggled against her a couple of times in the past," Sabalenka admitted after the match. "I'm happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets. That's just super great."
Perfect Preparation for Melbourne
The 27-year-old defending champion has been in devastating form in Brisbane, not dropping a single set on her way to the final. She emphasised that this high-level competition is the ideal tune-up for the first Grand Slam of the year. The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on January 18, and Sabalenka is aiming to clinch her third title there in four years.
"I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I'm playing better and better," Sabalenka stated. She highlighted the quality of the Brisbane field, which featured seven of the world's top ten players, as crucial for her preparation. "That's really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents. So I'm super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here."
Looking Ahead to the Final Showdown
Sabalenka will now await the winner of the other semi-final between fourth seed Jessica Pegula of the United States and Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. The final is scheduled for Sunday, offering the world number one a final chance to sharpen her game before heading to Melbourne Park. Her dominant run in Brisbane sends a clear warning to her rivals and solidifies her status as one of the firm favourites for the Australian Open crown.
