Brisbane Tournament | Aryna Sabalenka joins Elena Rybakina in the final

(Brisbane) Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2^e world player, beat her compatriot Victoria Azarenka (23^e) to join the Kazakh Elena Rybakina, 4, in the final of the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane^e world who had earlier on Saturday dismissed the Czech Linda Noskova (40^e).

Unsurprisingly, the two main seeds meet in the final on Sunday: Sabalenka beat Azarenka with authority, in two sets 6-2, 6-4, while Rybakina also won easily against Noskova 6-3, 6-2 in semi-finals.

The final will be a repeat of that of the 2023 Australian Open, won by Sabalenka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, one week before the start of the 2024 edition of the first round of the Grand Slam. The two players have faced each other seven times in total, with the clear advantage going to Sabalenka winning five times.

To reach the final, Sabalenka, 25, had to beat former world No. 1 Azarenka, 34, victorious at the Australian Open twice in 2012 and 2013 in a duel. In 1 hour 27 minutes of play, Sabalenka notably managed ten aces and saved her rival’s three break points.

“We both serve very well,” Sabalenka said after her victory. “We both play very aggressive tennis. I think that’s why all our matches are very close. We both put a lot of pressure on ourselves.”

Azarenka revealed that she had rib discomfort: “From the start of the match, I couldn’t do what I wanted with my serve,” she said. “I need a little rest before preparing for the Australian Open.”

Rybakina, winner at Wimbledon in 2022, played against the young Czech Noskova, 19, unseeded and in search of a first title on the WTA circuit. The Kazakh, who has only lost 12 games since the start of the week, largely dominated her opponent in 1 hour 03 minutes. Sovereign in service, she managed eight aces and broke three times, once in the first set and two in the second.

“I didn’t expect to play so well here,” said the finalist. “It’s an incredible start to the year.”

Holger Rune in the final

Holger Rune, 20 years old, seeded N.1 and 8^e world, qualified for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane by beating Russian Roman Safiullin (39) in the semi-final^e world) 6-4, 7-6 (7/0), Saturday.

Rune will face in the final the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (14^e) or the Australian Jordan Thompson (55^e), opponents in the second semi-final.

Dimitrov continues his momentum with a thunderous end to the 2023 season – semi-final at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai then final at that of Paris -, and Thompson (55^e) beat in the quarters the Spaniard Rafael Nadal who, injured and operated on, made his return to the circuit after almost a year of absence during this tournament.