With a decisive 6-0, 6-3 win over the top seed Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina took home the Brisbane International title, providing herself with ideal momentum heading into the first major of 2024. Sabalenka, who historically held the advantage in their recent matchups, struggled to handle the World No. 4's piercing shots and agility at the net. Through a display of pure dominance, the Kazakhstani athlete proved she is a serious threat for the Australian Open title. This win represents the sixth trophy of her professional career and her first since the Indian Wells tournament last year.
Elena Rybakina won the Brisbane International with a dominant 6-0, 6-3 victory against top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in a superb warm-up for the first major of 2024. Sabalenka, who had won five of her previous seven meetings with Rybakina, had no answer for the World No.4’s laser-like groundstrokes and deft touches at the net. The Kazakhstani player dominated the final with a pure masterclass play and cemented her place as one of the favorites for the upcoming Australian Open. It was the 24-year-old’s sixth career title and first since Indian Wells last year.
The narrative has changed since their last meeting in the Australian Open final, where Sabalenka won a grueling three-set battle. In Brisbane, the 2022 Wimbledon winner flipped the script, dominating the opening set on the Pat Rafter Arena with three breaks of serve in just 24 minutes. Although Sabalenka managed a break in the ninth game, Rybakina regained control quickly, pushing her lead to 3-1 in the second set.
Sabalenka finally held serve in the 11th game, but the momentum had long since shifted. Rybakina seized the title on her first match point after forcing a wide forehand from the defending champion. It was a nearly flawless week for Rybakina, who swept through five consecutive matches in straight sets, dropping only 15 games in total.
This loss snapped a 15-match winning streak for Sabalenka on Australian courts, which had previously included a title in Adelaide. Nevertheless, the World No. 2 handled the rare defeat with grace. This final was a rare occurrence for Brisbane, marking the first time since 2015—when Maria Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic—that the top two seeds faced off in the championship match.
Following her win, Rybakina praised her opponent, saying, 'I want to congratulate Aryna on a fantastic week and an incredible season last year. I hope we get to face each other again in Melbourne.' She noted that despite the lopsided score, matches against Sabalenka are always demanding because they push each other to be better, and she expressed hope that both would perform even better at the Australian Open.
On the men's side, second seed Grigor Dimitrov took the title after a grueling 2-hour and 13-minute battle against top seed Holger Rune, winning 7-6 (5), 6-4. In a display of incredible serving, the match saw only a single break of serve. This victory gives the Bulgarian his ninth career title and his first since the 2017 ATP Finals.