Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and World No.1, showcased her determination and skill at the Brisbane International 2025, overcoming 15th-seeded Yulia Putintseva with a score of 7-6(2), 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. The match, held on January 2, 2025, at the Queensland Tennis Centre, lasted 1 hour and 49 minutes, displaying Sabalenka's remarkable resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Sitting at 5-3 down and facing potential set loss on multiple occasions, Sabalenka's tenacity came to the forefront. “Down 5-3 and two points from losing the set on four occasions, she managed to shorten rallies with pinpoint power, neutralizing Putintseva’s variety,” highlighted the challenges she faced during the match. Despite early adversity, the Belarusian star rallied to dominate the tiebreak with her signature powerful shots.
Complete with six aces, Sabalenka’s serve improved as the contest progressed. Her tactical shifts not only turned the tides of the match but also reinstated her dominance. The quality of her forehand couldn't be overlooked as she broke Putintseva straight away at the start of the second set, setting herself up for victory.
The match drew considerable attention, not just for the skill on display, but also due to the friendship between the two competitors. Sabalenka's victory over Putintseva brought her head-to-head record against the Kazakh player to 2-1. After sealing the win with a fierce backhand, she confidently addressed the audience, eager to build on her performance.
Sabalenka's victory marks yet another step on her impressive run since the beginning of 2023, where she has dominated tournaments throughout Australia, losing only once—in the previous year's final at the Brisbane International. This tournament serves as both preparation and warm-up for her as she eyes her strong start heading toward the Australian Open.
Next up, Sabalenka will face unseeded Marie Bouzkova, who has had quite the remarkable performance leading up to this fight, having recently upset 10th-seeded and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka. The matchup between Sabalenka and Bouzkova is tied at one win apiece, with their previous confrontation at the Washington Open last July resulting in Bouzkova's favor.
The anticipation is palpable as Sabalenka prepares for this battle, promising fans yet another thrilling encounter on the tennis courts. She is determined to not only avenge her previous loss to Bouzkova but also prove herself once again as the reigning champion of Australia. “I’ve never won the Brisbane International. Hopefully this is the year, that's why I'm here,” said Sabalenka about her aspirations this season. Her steadfast drive and clear focus on her goals establishes her as both the crowd favorite and the undisputed powerhouse of the match.
With the eyes of the tennis world on her, Sabalenka's performance on January 2 promises to be the precursor of what’s expected of her as the tournament continues, solidifying her as one of the leading players as she heads to the upcoming Australian Open.