Marta Kostyuk is giving credence to her bold ambition of a top-10 finish this season following a flawless upset of fourth seed Jessica Pegula on Saturday for her first final in 21 months at the Brisbane International.
A third successive top-10 win in her first event of the season pitted the Ukrainian into her fourth career final – her 6-0 6-3 demolition of world No.6 Pegula delivered in under an hour at Pat Rafter Arena.
The 16th seed’s second win in six attempts against the American came on the heels of victories over sixth seed Mirra Andreeva and second seed Amanda Anisimova.
World No.1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka now stands between Kostyuk and a first title since Austin, United States, in 2023. It is her first final since Stuttgart in 2024, a run in which she also denied three top-10 opponents.
““I think it was one of those days today when everything you touch turns into gold,” Kostyuk said. “Personally, I didn't have many matches like this in my career, especially against top-10 players. So, you know, it's a great present, I would say, a great bonus today to have such match … I'm very happy that I managed to finish it in two sets today."
The 23-year-old barely put a foot wrong. She clocked 20 winners to Pegula’s two and won more than 75 per cent on both first and second-serve points.
A 179km/h ace, her fastest serve of the match, came while serving to close out the contest and two points later, she raised her arms high after a fourth ace sealed her place.
“I think I wasn’t rushing in the points, and I think it’s really important with Jess to make her play, make her run and I think I did that really well today to change pace,” Kostyuk said. “It was much warmer than it was the last two nights for me and the ball was going much faster … For me tennis is such a complex sport that never one [thing] defines [the match] so I think it’s a combination of things – a very good day for me.”
Sabalenka sails into third straight Brisbane final
There was perhaps no coincidence as Sabalenka launched her 2026 season wearing shades of Aussie-themed green and gold in Brisbane.
As the setting for some of her most significant career chapters– including her Grand Slam breakthrough and the successful defence of her AO 2023 title, along with trophies lifted in Adelaide and Brisbane – Sabalenka has forged strong and lasting connections with Australia.
And as she progressed to her third consecutive Brisbane International final with victory over Karolina Muchova on Saturday, it was clear that bond is only deepening.
With her 6-3 6-4 win over the 11th-seeded Czech – an upset conqueror of No.3 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals – Sabalenka claimed her 37th victory from the past 39 matches she has played on Australian soil.
That record is particularly emphatic in Brisbane, where the 27-year-old has now reached three straight finals. After finishing runner-up to Rybakina in 2024, Sabalenka dropped just one set as she powered to the 2025 title.
The 21-time WTA champion remains flawless in her 2026 Brisbane campaign, with straight-sets wins over Cristina Bucsa, Sorana Cirstea and Madison Keys preceding Saturday’s semifinal.
Following a redemptive quarterfinal win over Keys – the champion of their thrilling Australian Open 2025 final – Sabalenka delivered another statement performance against Muchova.
“It’s super special,” said Sabalenka, who will face either Jessica Pegula or Marta Kostyuk for the chance to claim Brisbane glory for a second straight year. “I’m just super excited for the next match.”
Muchova has historically been a tricky opponent for the defending champion, She held a 3-1 head-to-head edge heading into the clash, having won their previous three meetings.
But after declaring on Friday that “I never focus on the past”, Sabalenka was firmly in the moment. Although three match points slipped away amid a late flurry of pressure from the Czech, Sabalenka sealed victory in 90 minutes.
“I always try to stay in the present,” Sabalenka added. “I worked really hard and each match against her is just another opportunity to get the win and I’m super happy that today was the day when I was able to get the win. She is such a great player and I always enjoy battles against her.”
With 32 winners and all four break points saved, Sabalenka will now look to carry her momentum into her 13th WTA 500-level final.
“Both play really great incredible great tennis,” she said of Pegula and Kostyuk. “Whoever wins, I’ll go out there tomorrow and I’ll fight and bring my best tennis.”
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Tickets for the Brisbane International are on sale via Ticketmaster. Prices start at $30. Premium Experiences are on sale via Ticketmaster and the Premium Experiences Team.