Aryna Sabalenka’s women’s singles title defense at the 2026 Brisbane International turned out to be a resounding success. The World No. 1 Belarusian, who pipped Polina Kudermetova to the WTA 500 hardcourt crown in 2025, came out on top against Marta Kostyuk in the final this time around.
It was far from a straightforward victory for four-time Major champion Sabalenka, as her Ukrainian opponent did have some very promising moments of her own during the contest, particularly in the first set. The result means that the 27-year-old has bagged the $214,530 winner’s paycheck from the $1.2 million prize pool. Meanwhile, Kostyuk has to settle for $134,600 as the runner-up. Losing semifinalists Jessica Pegula (beaten by Kostyuk) and Karolina Muchova (beaten by Sabalenka) took home $77,195 each.
Sabalenka broke Kostyuk early on in the encounter to establish a 3-1 lead in the first set. However, the Ukrainian broke back in the very next game and then went on to capitalize on her subsequent service game to level things up at 3-3. A few service holds followed from both players. However, the Belarusian decisively broke the 23-year-old in the tenth game of the set to clinch it 6-4.
Kostyuk, a former No. 16 currently ranked 26th, gave Sabalenka an almighty scare right at the beginning of the second set. However, Sabalenka held firm and eventually won the game. A loose service game from the Ukrainian followed and the Belarusian was only too happy to capitalize, putting herself in pole position to go on and win the Brisbane title for the second time in her career. Ultimately, the World No. 1 put the match to bed with a dominant 6-3 second-set win.
Marta Kostyuk yet to taste victory against Aryna Sabalenka as Brisbane International 2026 final extends Ukrainian’s losing streak
The women’s singles final at the 2026 Brisbane International marked the fifth competitive meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk. Remarkably, it resulted in the fifth win for the Belarusian over her Ukrainian rival, who has not only lost all her competitive outings against the now-22-time career singles titlist, but is also yet to take a set in the rivalry, which so far has been completely one-sided.
Controversially, last year, Kostyuk stirred controversy by claiming that Sabalenka and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek have more testosterone and used the claim to justify her losses to the Belarusian and the Pole. The Belarusian later blatantly dismissed her Ukrainian rival’s take.
Now that their respective campaigns at the Brisbane International are done and dusted, both Sabalenka and Kostyuk will look to use their promising displays at the WTA 500 event as platforms for their upcoming campaigns at the year’s first tennis Major, the Australian Open.
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