Sabalenka returns to Brisbane final

Defending men's champion Dimitrov retires against Lehecka

BRISBANE:

Aryna Sabalenka powered into the Brisbane International final with a 6-3 6-2 victory over teenager Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, taking a step closer to a first trophy of the year before her Australian Open title defence begins later this month.

World number one Sabalenka saved five breakpoints to edge a tight opening set against her 17-year-old Russian opponent, who had stunned the then ailing Belarusian in the French Open quarter-finals seven months ago.

Fit and firing on all cylinders in her opening tournament of the new season, Sabalenka shifted gears in the second set for an early break and eased through to book a meeting with Russian Polina Kudermetova in Sunday's final.

"It's always the same tactic for me, to stay aggressive and put my opponents under pressure," said Sabalenka, runner-up at the tournament last year. "I was glad I was able to do that against Mirra. It seemed like everything was working really well. She's an amazing player and I'm pretty sure she's going to be in the top 10 very soon. I'm happy to get this win."

The 21-year-old Kudermetova earlier swept aside Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina 6-4 6-3 to continue her stellar run from the qualifying competition.

Dimitrov out

Grigor Dimitrov's title defence in the men's event ended when the Bulgarian retired with injury while trailing 6-4 4-4 against Czech Jiri Lehecka on Pat Rafter Arena.

Reilly Opelka followed up his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic by beating Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-3 7-6(4) in a battle of big servers.

The 6-foot 11-inch (2.11m) American has had a torrid time with injuries in the previous two seasons and he shrugged off a wrist issue in the opening set before edging a tiebreak in the next to reach his first final in three years. In another tune-up event ahead of the Jan. 12-26 Australian Open, four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka defeated Alycia Parks 6-4 6-2 to reach the Auckland Classic final where she will take on Denmark's Clara Tauson on Sunday.

Osaka, who returned to the WTA Tour 12 months ago after a lengthy maternity break, is targeting her first trophy since her Melbourne Park triumph four years ago.

"It's definitely really important," Osaka said. "I'm happy to get through to the final. I've actually never gotten to the final of the tournament the week before Melbourne. This is a first for me."

The 27-year-old was beaten by Iga Swiatek in her last final at the Miami Open in 2022 and can expect another tough test.

Tauson earlier overcame American Robin Montgomery 6-4 6-3 after stunning top seed Madison Keys 6-4 7-6(7) in a rain-hit match that was carried over from Friday.

Rybakina defends former coach Vukov

Elena Rybakina defended her former coach Stefano Vukov after he was provisionally suspended by the governing body of women's tennis pending an investigation into a potential breach of its code of conduct, saying on Saturday he had not mistreated her. Rybakina, who claimed the 2022 Wimbledon title under Vukov, ended their five-year partnership in August, days ahead of the U.S. Open, before she appointed Novak Djokovic's former mentor Goran Ivanisevic for the new season.

She rehired Croatian Vukov to her team earlier this week, sparking concern from the tennis fraternity.

"I said it already before that he never mistreated me or it was never anything like that," Rybakina said at the United Cup in Sydney, where she was gearing up for the Australian Open.

"I'm working with Goran. I'm happy the way we've worked for a couple of weeks. Stefano is rejoining the team because I know the person for six years and there's a lot of things we can do outside of the court too. "Of course I'm not really happy with the situation. I'm not happy with the comments which I see, especially from the people who are on the tour. It's active coaches, commentators. I don't think that it's fair."

Vukov denies wrongdoing and told The Athletic on Thursday that he "never abused anyone" after the outlet first reported the WTA's provisional ban. The WTA on Friday said Vukov would not be eligible to obtain a credential to its tournaments. REUTERS