Brisbane International: Rare men’s final result, Sabalenka claims title

Women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka avoided a second straight Brisbane International final loss after an impressive come from behind as the men’s final ended after just five games due to an injury.

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic celebrates his win. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Jiri Lehecka has won the Brisbane International after opponent Reilly Opelka retired after just five games of Sunday night’s final at Pat Rafter Arena.

Down 4-1 after just 13 minutes of action, towering American Opelka, who was sidelined for two years with wrist and hip injuries, decided he could no longer go on – due to a back injury - much to the shock of the packed crowd.

Opelka, who beat top seed Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals on Friday night, cut a dejected figure as he sat beside the court.

“Thank you and sorry at the same time,” the 211cm world No.293 told the crowd soon after.

“It’s been a great week for me. I got a lot of great matches in, and had a really good time playing in front of you guys. I really enjoyed my time here.

“I was really looking forward to a good match-up. He’s a hell of a player … but unfortunately my back’s been giving me some issues.

“The tournament doctor and the ATP physio were pretty unbelievable in throwing the kitchen sink at it. We worked on it all literally all day but unfortunately it just wasn’t right enough to compete.

“Hopefully I can come back next year and redeem myself.”

Reilly Opelka was forced to retire. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

The Czech Republic’s Lehecka seemed a little stunned by the way he clinched his second ATP title, after winning last year’s Adelaide International.

“It’s never easy to finish a match this way - I know how you feel, Reilly,” world No.28 Lehecka said.

“It’s been an honour to see you back on tour.”

Lehecka, who progressed to the final after defending champion Grigor Dimitrov retired during Saturday’s semi-final with a hip injury, said it had been a great week for him in Brisbane.

“I just love to play in Australia,” said Lehecka, who was also scheduled to play in Sunday night’s doubles final.

“It’s never easy to leave home and compete but when you’re playing in places like here, it’s just a pleasure.”

However, Lehecka’s hopes of adding the tournament’s doubles crown to his singles title were dashed when he and partner Jakub Mensik were beaten 6-3 6-7 (10-6) in the final by fifth-seeded British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.

SABALENKA CLAIMS WOMEN’S TITLE

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has underlined her credentials as the Australian Open favourite with a fighting 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Polina Kudermetova in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.

With superstar swimmer Ariarne Titmus and Formula One driver Jack Doohan looking on, Sabalenka pulled her 18th tour title out of the fire after looking down and out against the Russian qualifier.

In a see-sawing encounter on Pat Rafter Arena, Sabalenka dropped the first set and looked in all sorts against the powerful Kudermetova, who came out breathing fire aiming to become the lowest-ranked WTA 500 winner in 17 years.

“I want to congratulate Polina on an impressive week, from the qualies all the way to the finals,” Sabalenka said post-match.

“Honestly, I really want to know the average speed of our shots today - I think we’re going to beat the record for sure, that was a pretty aggressive game.”

Aryna Sabalenka won the women’s final with a come from behind win. Photo: AFP.

The world No.107 dominated the early baseline exchanges and got inside the head of Sabalenka, whose frustration began to boil over with each passing winner from the forehand of Kudermetova.

Twelve months after she was blown off the court by Elena Rybakina in the Brisbane final, Sabalenka looked destined for another runner-up finish as Kudermetova won seven of eight games to take the opening set and hold break points early in the second.

But with her back against the wall the three-time grand slam champion rose to the occasion.

In a hotly contested second set, Sabalenka played near-perfect tennis notching just two unforced errors to turn the tables on a tiring Kudermetova who was playing her eighth game in nine days.

Sabalenka broke her opponent to love to start the third set and rode the wave of momentum to her first Brisbane International title, punishing the Kudermetova second serve with a trademark backhand return to draw the fatal error that sealed the championship.

Russia's Polina Kudermetova claimed the first set but couldn’t complete the fairytale. Photo: AFP.

Her job done, a relieved Sabalenka celebrated with a spinning selfie on centre court.

“I’m really glad I was able to pull it together and turn the game in the second set,” she said.

“I definitely can take a lot of things from this week heading into the Australian Open.

“Mentally, physically, I’ll be ready to go at the Australian Open.”

Sunday’s victory marked Sabalenka’s fourth title in Australia, following her 2023 and 2024 Australian Open triumphs and the 2023 Adelaide International.

This month she will attempt to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Open titles – a feat achieved only by Margaret Court (1969-71), Evonne Goolagong (1974-76), Steffi Graff (1988-90), Monica Seles (1991-93) and Hingis.

“I definitely feel confident in my game,” Sabalenka declared.

“I’m just excited. I love playing there (in Melbourne). I love to fight for my dream. That’s the conditions where I feel really comfortable.”

Kudermetova will rise 50 places to No.57 in the world when the rankings update following her run to the final in Brisbane.

However the 21-year-old will still have to fight through qualifying in Melbourne to feature in the Australian Open main draw, having begun the summer outside the main draw cutoff.