Aryna Sabalenka claims Adelaide International title after ending Linda Koskova's fairytale run in final

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka claimed her 11th WTA Tour singles title but her first in almost two years by overcoming qualifier Linda Noskova 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in the women's final at the Adelaide International.

In doing so she ended an extraordinary run by the 18-year-old Noskova, who beat third-seeded Daria Kasatkina and former Australian Open champion Viktoria Asarenka in the main draw on the way to her first final.

Sabalenka did not drop a set all week and seemed set for another comfortable win when she took out the first set on Sunday.

But Noskova was much more competitive in the second, holding serve and putting pressure on Sabalenka's serve, especially with her powerful backhand returns.

"I want to congratulate (Noskova) on an amazing week," Sabalenka said. "I think you're going to have a great future and 100 per cent appear in many more finals."

Sabalenka's last single title came in Madrid in May, 2021 but she went without a title in 2022 despite reaching three finals.

She ended the year ranked fifth after qualifying for the season-ending WTA Finals in Fort Worth where she lost in the final to Caroline Garcia.

Sabalenka now has won three tournaments in the first week of a season after Shenzen in 2019 and Abu Dhabi in 2021.

GAUFF TRIUMPHS IN AUCKLAND

American Coco Gauff also made a title-winning start to her season, comfortably beating junior Roland Garros champion Rebeka Masarova 6-1 6-1 in rain-affected Auckland Classic final.

The top seed did not drop a set all week en route to the third crown of her career and first since the 2021 Parma title.

"It's been great," Gauff said. "Honestly a great week for me despite the rain; I can't ask for a better start to my season."

Gauff said the triumph was great for her confidence before the Australian Open.

"You never know how your first week is going to go, it could be good or terrible," she said. "But it's been a great week."