World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Polina Kudermetova to claim the Brisbane International title on January 5, 2025. After dropping the first set, the Belarusian star showcased her resilience and skill, coming back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Queensland Tennis Centre. This victory not only marked Sabalenka's 18th career title but also highlighted her as the first woman to win the Brisbane title since its return to being hosted there.
The match unfolded with anticipation, as Sabalenka entered as the top seed, having advanced through the tournament with impressive ease, not dropping a set until the final. Kudermetova, the 21-year-old Russian qualifier, surprised everyone with her pathway to this stage. Displaying remarkable poise and talent, she notched several significant wins, leading up to this momentous WTA final.
From the outset, Kudermetova seized the opportunity, breaking Sabalenka early and maintaining her lead to capture the first set. According to Mike Frey from USA Today, "Kudermetova, who is the younger sister of former No. 9 Veronika Kudermetova, showed signs of an impending breakthrough at the end of the 2024 season." Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play forced Sabalenka to adapt quickly.
Despite the rocky start, Sabalenka's experience began to shine through. After losing her first set of the tournament, she quickly reset her focus. Sabalenka won the second set convincingly, demonstrating her tactical prowess by reducing her errors and aggressively attacking Kudermetova's serve. "After losing her first set of the tournament, Sabalenka quickly reset herself to not let it happen again," noted Frey.
From there, Sabalenka continued to dominate. With each game, she moved closer to securing the championship, showcasing the championship mentality she has developed. Kudermetova, undeterred and relentless, battled fiercely but struggled to keep pace with the confidence and power of the World No. 1.
Transitioning to the final set, Sabalenka broke Kudermetova's serve early and continued to extend her lead, eventually sealing the match with poise. The final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 reflected not only Sabalenka's talent but also her growth within the psychological aspects of the game. Many speculate this performance could serve as the springboard for defending her Australian Open title.
With this victory, Aryna Sabalenka not only captured another prestigious title but also solidified her position as a leading contender heading to Melbourne. Meanwhile, Kudermetova leaves with nothing but pride and potential, having made her mark this week and showing the tennis world her future promises.