Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka claimed her 11th WTA Tour singles title, but her first in nearly two years when she defeated qualifier Linda Noskova 6-2 7-6 (4) in the women’s final at the Adelaide International.
In doing so, she ended an extraordinary streak of 18-year-old Noskova beating third-seeded Daria Kasatkina and former Australian Open champion Viktoria Asarenka in the main draw en route to her first final.
Sabalenka didn’t drop a set all week and looked poised for another comfortable win as she took the first set on Sunday. But Noskova was much more competitive in the second, holding the serve and putting pressure on Sabalenka’s serve, especially with her powerful backhand returns.
“I want to congratulate (Noskova) on a great week,” said Sabalenka.
“I think you’re going to have a great future and show up 100 percent in many more finals.” Sabalenka’s last single title came in Madrid in May 2021, but she went titleless in 2022 despite reaching three finals.
She finished the year in fifth place after qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals in Fort Worth where she lost to Caroline Garcia in the final.
Sabalenka has now won three tournaments in the first week of a season after Shenzen in 2019 and Abu Dhabi in 2021.
The men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Sebastian Korda from the US will take place later on Sunday.