Sabalenka beats Kostyuk to win third title

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 11 (Agencies): World number one Aryna Sabalenka warmed up for a tilt at a third Australian open title in four years in ominous fashion by winning her second successive Brisbane International crown on Sunday.

Sabalenka scored a dominant 6-4, 6-3 win over Marta Kostyuk in

just 78 minutes.

"Every day you go out there and prove your level, and I think this week I did it really well," said Sabalenka after a tournament in which she powered to the title without dropping a set.

Later, three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev warmed up for an assault on this year's opening Grand Slam in perfect fashion by winning the Brisbane International final on Sunday.

The Russian world number 13 was too

strong for American Brandon Nakashima and ran out a 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) winner in 96 minutes on Pat Rafter Arena for his 22nd ATP Tour title.