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Elena Rybakina has trounced defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 to storm to the Brisbane International title.
The Kazakh world No.4 spent less than five hours on court in notching five impressive victories in the Queensland capital.
She put an eye-catching exclamation mark on her dominance in a one-sided final, reversing the result of last year’s tight three-set Melbourne Park decider.
Rybakina benefited from a mid-match withdrawal in the quarter-final but was untroubled in the season-opening tournament, clocking just four hours and 52 minutes under the bright lights.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion streaked to a 5-0 lead after just 18 minutes against Sabalenka, who had bossed her way to the final.
The pair will remain among the favourites in Melbourne from next Sunday but the big-serving Rybakina’s stocks have soared as she chases a second major title.
“I’d like to say congrats Aryna for a great week and great season last year and hopefully we meet in Melbourne,” she said.
“Despite the score, it’s always tough to play against you, we always push each other.”
The Belarusian world No.2, who now leads their head-to-head 5-3, could only laugh amid the onslaught though.
She celebrated winning a point in the first game of the second set then kissed her hand and saluted the sky when she finally won a game in the second set.
“I don’t know where to start … that was an interesting match, great job, thank you for those three games to at least make it look like a fight,” Sabalenka laughed post-match.
“Couple of words to my team – you did a bad job today. 6-0 6-3, that’s all your fault guys.
“It is how it is. We showed some great tennis and hopefully we’ll do better at the Australian Open.
“I just wanted you (the crowd) to save your energy for the men’s final.”
© AAP
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