WTA roundup: Aryna Sabalenka, Clara Tauson capture titles

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka captured her second Brisbane International title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Polina Kudermetova of Russia on Sunday in the tournament final in Australia.

Sabalenka won her initial Brisbane title in 2023 before falling in the tournament final to Elena Rybakina last year.

On Sunday, the Belarusian rebounded after dropping her first set of the tourney by finishing with five aces to dispatch Kudermetova in one hour, 47 minutes. Sabalenka now will turn her attention toward winning her third consecutive Australian Open.

Kudermetova fired nine aces but was undone by seven double faults.

ASB Classic

Fifth-seeded Clara Tauson was awarded the tournament title after seventh seed Naomi Osaka of Japan retired in the final due to an abdominal injury in Auckland, New Zealand.

Osaka clinched a 6-4 victory in the first set before requesting an immediate medical timeout after converting her second set point. The four-time Grand Slam champion consulted with her trainer before opting to end play, granting Tauson her third career WTA Tour title and first since 2021.

Osaka bolted out to a 5-1 lead after taking advantage of miscues from Tauson and breaking her foe on two occasions. Tauson responded to win the next three games before Osaka closed out the set despite showing severe discomfort.

--Field Level Media