The Brisbane International final on Sunday brings together two players head-on with one of the most compelling storylines in tennis. Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk will clash in what promises to be a match loaded with tension and competitive intrigue. The tennis world is watching closely as these two bitter rivals face off in what will be a fascinating chapter in their ongoing saga on the court.
The Rivalry Between Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk and Their Path to the Finals
The history between Sabalenka and Kostyuk is marked by clear tension dating back to their encounters on the professional circuit. In their four previous meetings, Sabalenka has won all four matches, each in straight sets. The Belarusian remains perfect against the Ukrainian across different surfaces.
Sabalenka reached her third straight Brisbane International final after defeating Karolína Muchová 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday. The Czech player had beaten Sabalenka in their last three meetings, making this win even more significant.
Sabalenka controlled the match since the beginning and has remained unbeaten at Brisbane this year, having beaten Cristina Bucșa, Sorana Cirstea, and Madison Keys without dropping a set. The defending champion can now claim her second consecutive Brisbane title and her 22nd WTA singles trophy if she wins this Sunday.
Kostyuk earned her spot in the final by dominating the fourth seed Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in just 56 minutes on Saturday. The Ukrainian’s tournament run has been remarkable, featuring three straight wins over top-10 opponents.
She defeated sixth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-6(7), 6-3 in the quarterfinals and second seed Amanda Anisimova 6-4, 6-3 in the round of 16. This marks only the second time Kostyuk has beaten three top-10 players in one tournament, her first achievement coming at Stuttgart in 2024. A win on Sunday would give her a second WTA title, adding to the one she won in Austin in 2023.
Aryna Sabalenka and Marta Kostyuk will face each other in the final of Brisbane.
Aryna leads the head to head 4-0.
They haven’t played on a hard court since 2022.
Aryna is playing in her 3rd consecutive Brisbane final. She’s won 37 of her last 39 matches in Australia.… pic.twitter.com/05h4nFJDoK
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 10, 2026
The rivalry between these two players and the magnitude of the final have drawn serious interest from the tennis world heading into Sunday’s match.
What Does the Tennis Community Have to Say on the Brisbane Final Matchup?
As Sunday’s final approaches, tennis fans have taken to discussing this matchup across social media platforms.
The rivalry between these two players has sparked conversations about what will happen during and after the match, with supporters of the sport sharing their expectations and thoughts.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka’s Opponent Karolína Muchová Makes Her Feelings Clear on ‘Tough’ Battle in Brisbane
Referring to their bitter rivalry on the court, one fan noted, “Starting the WTA season with a Marta Kostyuk v Aryna Sabalenka final is peak tennis drama. Love it. What a way to kick things off.”
Starting the WTA season with a Marta Kostyuk v Aryna Sabalenka final is peak tennis drama. Love it. What a way to kick things off.
— Fudgie the Whale Bets (@LeroyCheese) January 10, 2026
“How does a final between Marta and Aryna work if M does not acknowledge A, the speeches would be so awkward ,” wrote a fan, talking about the speech drama that could unfold tomorrow.
How does a final between Marta and Aryna work if M does not acknowledge A, the speeches would be so awkward
— (@SlayMeKingBey) January 10, 2026
Adding to their speeches, another fan wrote, “Both are going to produce their best tennis, for obvious reasons. Regardless of who wins, I’m looking forward to the celebratory speeches ”
Both are going to produce their best tennis, for obvious reasons. Regardless of who wins, I’m looking forward to the celebratory speeches
— AJ Toll (@AJToll) January 10, 2026
One X user mentioned the recent controversy between Sabalenka and Kostyuk, in which the Ukrainian stated that the physical differences between her and the Belarusian were the key factor in their matches.
https://t.co/lolWVamHOa time to settle this score
— Wonikoks (@LagosBlood) January 10, 2026
One Sabalenka fan supported their favorite star and wished her luck for the final. “aryna sabalenka i hope you have the best sleep tonight to absolutely destroy marta kostyuk tomorrow ,” they wrote.
aryna sabalenka i hope you have the best sleep tonight to absolutely destroy marta kostyuk tomorrow
— ⋆˚꩜ malu ໑̣ (@outofhisystem) January 10, 2026
“We gonna see the first the final where the two competitors don’t shake hands after the match,” wrote another fan.
We gonna see the first the final where the two competitors don’t shake hands after the match.
— Kop (@MbappeKopite) January 10, 2026
The anticipation for the match is building as fans expect an explosive clash between two players in their top form, with their bitter rivalry playing a significant part.
It would be interesting to see whether Sabalenka defends her title or whether Kostyuk registers another win over the WTA top-10 players and captures her second career title.
