Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Brisbane International final for the third year in a row after defeating Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4. The world No 1 clinched her fourth match point at Pat Rafter Arena to advance to Sunday’s final against Marta Kostyuk, who beat the fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3.
It was Kostyuk’s third win in a row over a top-10 opponent. She came into the match with only one win in five previous matches against the American.
On Friday, in a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, Sabalenka broke Madison Keys in five straight service games on the way to a 6-3, 6-3 win. Last year at Melbourne Park, the American beat Sabalenka for her first grand slam singles title.
Although three match points slipped away amid a late flurry of pressure from the Czech player, Sabalenka sealed victory when a Muchová shot sailed long.
“I always try to stay in the present,” the Belarusian said. “I worked really hard and each match against her is just another opportunity to get the win and I’m super-happy that today was the day when I was able to get the win. She is such a great player and I always enjoy battles against her.”
Carlos Alcaraz (right) hugs Jannik Sinner after winning the Hyundai Card Super Match. Photograph: Han Myung-Gu/EPA
In South Korea, Carlos Alcaraz drew first blood in his rivalry with Jannik Sinner by emerging a 7-5, 7-6 (6) winner in the Hyundai Card Super Match. The world’s top two players took part in the hard-court exhibition contest rather than compete in any warm-up tournaments for the Australian Open, which begins on 18 January.
It produced two entertaining and close sets at Inspire Arena, Incheon, with Alcaraz holding his nerve at key moments to build on his control of last year’s rivalry when he won four of their six meetings. The match was interrupted in the fifth game of the second set when Alcaraz, the men’s world No 1, engaged in a rally with a young fan, who was temporarily given Sinner’s racket by the Italian.
Sinner sat in the fan’s seat and watched his replacement hit a forehand winner that registered deuce, although it did not stop Alcaraz winning the game and going on to close out the match by taking the tie-break 7-5.
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