WTA/ATP: Starting on a high note

A busy opening week on the WTA and ATP Tours delivered some thrilling story lines and a host of deserved champions.

Here's how things kicked off in the world of tennis.

New Year, same Aryna

They say old habits die hard and in the case of Aryna Sabalenka, that’s a good thing.

The world No.1 reached her third consecutive final in Brisbane and successfully defended her title with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk on Sunday.

Sabalenka did not drop a set all week to clinch the 22nd trophy of her career, surpassing Victoria Azarenka to take over third place on the list of active players with the most WTA titles won (behind Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek).

“It's super special. I'm happy to hold this trophy, happy to start this season on a very high note. Yeah, happy with the level I was able to show throughout this week. Can't complain,” Sabalenka told reporters after the final.

It was the perfect preparation for the 27-year-old, who now heads to Melbourne looking to clinch a third Australian Open crown.

Kostyuk was competing in her third WTA 500 final and seeking a first title since 2023. The world No.26 is still winless in all five matches she has played against Sabalenka but can take lots of positives from her week in Brisbane, where she knocked out three consecutive top-10 opponents – Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva and Jessica Pegula – en route to the final.

“For sure a great week for me. Three top-10 wins. Not more I could ask for. And given the fact I had just one top-10 win in the whole last year, so it's a great beginning of the year for me,” said the 23-year-old Ukrainian.

“It's gonna come one day. I know I just have to keep working and, you know, I'm very happy about the week.”

Medvedev triumphs

It seems 22 was the magic number in Brisbane as Daniil Medvedev also scooped the 22nd title of his career with a 6-2, 7-6(1) victory over Brandon Nakashima in the men’s final.

“Dear @atptour... can you please add more cities? I am running out…” joked Medvedev on social media, referring to the mind-blowing fact that he has never defended a title and has instead won 22 trophies at 22 different events.

Medvedev dedicated the title to his second daughter, who celebrated her first birthday while he was away.

The former world No.1 could not have asked for a better start to his season, and confirmed he is on the right track towards recovering his top form after ending a two-and-a-half-year title drought at the ATP 250 in Almaty last October, under the tutelage of new coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke.

Medvedev is just the third active player to have won 20 hard-court titles on the ATP Tour, behind Novak Djokovic (72) and Jannik Sinner (21).

Currently ranked 12 in the world, Medvedev is in unfamiliar territory having been in the top 10 for the majority of the past seven years.

“I think it will be fun. To be an underdog, it depends,” said Medvedev, looking ahead to the Australian Open.

“If we look in the long run, for sure I'm the underdog, because it's been some time I haven't been in the later stages of a Grand Slam, I'm outside of top 10. But probably first four rounds or something I'm not going to be underdog. If I count right, it's going to be four rounds. Three, four, whatever.

“But again, I was three times in the final there, and I do feel like in general people in Melbourne love me. Maybe a big thing to say, but I hope so. I'm going to try to do my best exactly like here. Enjoy my tennis, enjoy the game, enjoy the fight, and hopefully like this people can support me.”

Meaningful runs for Bublik and Svitolina

Over in Hong Kong, Alexander Bublik denied Lorenzo Musetti the chance to win a first title since 2022 by defeating the Italian 7-6(2), 6-3 at the ATP 250 event.

Both finalists hit new milestones as Bublik secured his top-10 debut in the world rankings, while Musetti rose to a career-high No.5.

The first Kazakhstani man to crack the top 10, Bublik has now won five ATP titles since June, and owns nine overall.

"The only goal for this season was to achieve the top 10 and in the first week I have won the title and I am into the top 10," said the 28-year-old Bublik. "If you had told me that last April I would never have believed you. But it is a pleasure and I hope to continue in the same way."

Poland finally takes United Cup

After runner-up finishes at the United Cup in the last two years, Poland are finally champions at the mixed team event.

Hubert Hurkacz was playing his first tournament in seven months, having recovered from knee surgery, and kept Poland’s chances alive in the final against Switzerland with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 over a heroic Stan Wawrinka.

Hurkacz fired 18 aces and saved eight of the nine break points he faced in the match.

Belinda Bencic had put the Swiss in front with her fifth victory of the week – an impressive 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 performance against Iga Swiatek – before Hurkacz levelled the clash for the Poles.

Reliable duo Jan Zielinski and Katarzyna Kawa sealed the deal in mixed doubles, claiming their fifth win of the tournament with a 6-4, 6-3 success against Bencic and Jakub Paul.

“I’m kind of speechless. It's really incredible,” said Hurkacz said. “Obviously personally, but also a massive day for Poland, for Polish tennis. We showed how strong we are as a Polish country in tennis. To win that trophy, it tastes incredible. After we came very close two times. Just so grateful to the whole team, everyone supporting each other, just being together and enjoying the competition.”

Bencic was named United Cup Finals MVP.

“This moment is so bittersweet,” said the former Olympic champion. “We can be so proud of ourselves and we really deserve to celebrate this. It was truly one of the best weeks of my life."

Click here to read article