India, Jan. 12 -- Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka has captured her second consecutive Brisbane International title, and 22nd overall, with a straight sets victory over Marta Kostyuk on Sunday. It was the third year in a row Sabalanka appeared in the final and the Belorussian player looked in comfortable surroundings as she closed out a 6-4, 6-3 victory in just 1 hour and 17 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena. The Brisbane International is a tuneup event for this year's Australian Open, which begins Jan. 18.

Kostyuk went hard early by attacking Sabalenka's second serve, clawing back an early break with sublime drop shots that briefly rattled the world's top-ranked player. However, the Belorussian's relentless intensity and match-smarts proved decisiv...