Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from defending her title at the Brisbane International after defeating Karolina Muchova in straight sets on Saturday, Jan. 10, in Brisbane. The world No. 1 continued her dominant start to the season by controlling the match from the opening games and dictating play throughout.

Sabalenka secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory in one hour and 29 minutes, booking her place in Sunday’s final at the Australian Open warm-up event. The result marked her third consecutive appearance in the Brisbane International championship match without dropping a set.

The semifinal win also reinforced Sabalenka’s growing reputation as the most consistent performer on Australian hard courts. With the Australian Open approaching, her form has placed her firmly among the favorites heading into Melbourne.

Sabalenka keeps Australia streak intact

Saturday’s victory marked Sabalenka’s seventh final appearance in seven tournaments played in Australia since the start of 2023. During that stretch, she has suffered only two losses, underlining her dominance in the region.

Against Muchova, the Belarusian delivered her sharpest performance of the week by striking 32 winners and winning 88 percent of points on her first serve. She applied constant pressure on return games and rarely allowed her opponent to settle into extended rallies.

Sabalenka has now reached the Brisbane International final for the third straight year without conceding a set. The consistency of those runs has made Brisbane a cornerstone of her early-season success.

Title defense within reach

Sabalenka will face either Jessica Pegula or Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s final as she attempts to defend her Brisbane International title. Both potential opponents present different tactical challenges, but Sabalenka enters the match with momentum firmly on her side.

With confidence high and her game clicking in all areas, Sabalenka will look to capture another Brisbane crown before turning her focus fully to the Australian Open later this month. Her performances so far suggest she is peaking at the right time.