Rybakina ends Sabalenka’s Aussie hot streak

Elena Rybakina brought an end to the Australian superiority of Aryna Sabalenka, with the 2022 Wimbledon winner handing the WTA No. 2 a 6-0, 6-3 loss in the Sunday final of the Brisbane International.

Rybakina, who moves on to play as top seed from Monday in Adelaide in the last week prior to the start of the Australian Open, forced Sabalenka to her first defeat after 15 straight wins in Australia.

The Bisbane final was a match of January’s Grand Slam final in Melbourne won by Sabalenka; Rybakina earned the sixth trophy of her career and her second in Australia after Hobart four years ago.

“Despite the score, it’s always tough to play against you,” Rybakina told her defeated opponent. 

“We always push each other and I think that’s great. We improve this way, so hopefully we continue.”

.Rybakina shot out of the gates in the final, taking a 5-0 lead as she swept the opening set in 25 minutes; the match was wrapped up three-quarters of an hour later by the WTA No. 4 Kazakh.

Defending Melbourne winner Sabalenka lost serve five times.

Main photo:- Elena Rybakina with Brisbane International Trophy ©WTATennis.com