On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka won the Adelaide International 1 title, defeating young Czech qualifier Linda Noskova 6-3, 7-6(4) as she prepared for the Australian Open. Sabalenka won her 11th WTA Tour title.
Sabalenka began this week’s WTA 500 match hesitantly before finding her stride. She was flying in the opening set against the 18-year-old giant-killer, seizing rallies from the baseline to grab the advantage.
Noskova defeated injured first seed Ons Jabeur in the semi-finals after beating higher-ranked Daria Kasatkina and two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka. Sabalenka altered her tactics in the ensuing tiebreak.
Sabalenka had three matchpoints after a crosscourt victory, and she double-failed before winning the match with a booming serve to win her first championship in almost two years and give herself a boost ahead of the Australian Open, which runs from January 16 to 29.
I’m ecstatic to win another championship. The week was fantastic. I liked every minute I spent in Adelaide. So I’m quite pleased with my performance this week Sabalenka told reporters after capturing her first title since Madrid in 2021. I almost forgot what it was like to wear the throne.
After reaching the round of 16 in 2022, the Belarussian confessed she was looking forward to the year’s first Grand Slam.
I just feel like I’m ready to give it my best and that I’m ready for a great struggle, Sabalenka said. Again, you never know what will happen. I simply want to exert what little control I have and give it my all.
Gauff Triumphs in Auckland
American Coco Gauff won her first trophy of the year by handily defeating Rebeka Masarova, the junior Roland Garros winner, in the rain-soaked Auckland Classic final.
The top seed won her third career championship and first since the 2021 Parma title by not losing a set all week.
It’s been amazing, according to Gauff. Despite the weather, it’s been a fantastic week for me; I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my season.
