Sabalenka Returns To Brisbane Final With Win Over Andreeva

Aryna Sabalenka powered into the Brisbane International final with a 6-3 6-2 victory over teenager Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, taking a step closer to a first trophy of the year before her Australian Open title defence begins later this month.

World number one Sabalenka saved five breakpoints to edge a tight opening set against her 17-year-old Russian opponent, who had stunned the then ailing Belarusian in the French Open quarter-finals seven months ago.

Fit and firing on all cylinders in her opening tournament of the new season, Sabalenka shifted gears in the second set for an early break and eased through to book a meeting with Russian Polina Kudermetova in Sundays final.

Its always the same tactic for me, to stay aggressive and put my opponents under pressure, said Sabalenka, runner-up at the tournament last year.

I was glad I was able to do that against Mirra. It seemed like everything was working really well. Shes an amazing player and Im pretty sure shes going to be in the top 10 very soon. Im happy to get this win.