Bitter pill for Ukrainian Kostyuk as Sabalenka wins Brisbane

Marta Kostyuk went down to a 6-4, 6-3 loss at the Brisbane International in Sunday’s final, with the Belarus winner and the Ukrainian finalist strategically avoiding each other after the match.

World No. 1 Sabalenka kissed her biceps in victory while Kostyuk did not mention her hated rival’s name at any time after the loss.

There was some solace for the nation under attack from Russia and ally Belarus as Elina Svitolina won her 19th career title with a defeat of Xin Wang 6-3, 7-6 (6) in Auckland.

Sabalenka, winner of two of the last three editions of the Australian Open, claimed the trophy for a third time in Brisbane, earning her second in a row in the Queensland capital.

“I want to say a few words about Ukraine,” Kostyuk said post-match  “I play every day with a pain in my heart.

“There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now, it’s -20 degrees outside right now, so it’s very very painful to live this reality every day.

“I was incredibly moved and happy to see so many Ukranian fans and flags here this week … Slava Ukraini.”

Sabalenka lost the 2025 Australian Open final to Madison Keys, and now hopes to earn the crown back for a third time. 

“Thank you to my team for handling me. I’m really the toughest one to handle, and you guys are the toughest people in the world if you can handle me,” the winner told fans before addressing her boyfriend in the team box.

“Thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully, soon I’ll call you something else, right?

Let’s just put a bit of extra pressure on, right?”

Main photo:- French Open 2023 Ne’r the twain shall meet. Aryna Sabalenka (XXX) and Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk maintain their distance as their two homelands are at war by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd