Try GOLD - Free
Sabalenka fires warning with Brisbane domination
The Star
|January 12, 2026
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 yesterday.
-
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.
Looking ahead to the Australian Open, which began yesterday, Sabalenka said: “The only thing I know is that I'll be there, I'll be fighting”
Sabalenka lost in the Melbourne Park final last year to Madison Keys, having been Australian Open champion in 2023 and 2024.
“Tl do my best to go as far as possible,” said Sabalenka. “And do a little bit better than last year. That’s my focus.”
Kostyuk, the world number 26, had enjoyed a spectacular week, beating three top 10 players on the way to the final.
This story is from the January 12, 2026 edition of The Star.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Star
The Star
Teen builds Al diffusion model while achieving academic excellence
TRINITYHOUSE student Tristan Jay Neale is a remarkable example of tenacity and ingenuity during a challenging academic year.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
'WE'RE NOT LAZY,' YOUTH HIT BACK AT MANTASHE
Rustenburg young people express pain and frustration over unemployment
3 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Ramlal: Balancing academics with competition
SASHEN Ramlal, a Crawford International Lonehill matriculant, has balanced national-level academic competition with a demanding subject load, through discipline, resilience, and unwavering focus.
1 min
January 12, 2026
The Star
Treasury releases withheld funds to 75 municipalities, urges tighter fiscal discipline
THE National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) have confirmed that the December tranche of the Local Government Equitable Share (LGES) was disbursed over the festive period to 75 municipalities whose funds had been withheld due to financial mismanagement.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Wentzel's triumph over academic and health hurdles
FOR Celia Falconer Wentzel of Crawford International Sandton, the matric year unfolded with an uncommon sense of calm rather than chaos.
1 min
January 12, 2026
The Star
How Africa can turn fragmented mineral belts into coherent regional value chains
In 2023, a mine operating along the Central African Copperbelt moved its first test consignment through the Lobito Corridor, using the refurbished rail spine that links the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola's Atlantic coast.
4 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
How Tshegofatso Mashatola turned around academic disappointment
FROM academic disappointment to well-earned distinction, Tshegofatso Mashatola of Crawford International Ruimsig turned one of her toughest matric lows into a powerful comeback story defined by resilience, reflection and reward.
1 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Life coach's reign of terror laid bare in ‘Evil Influencer’
DOCUMENTARIES like this aren't made for comfort.
3 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Copper lure drives Rio Tinto into R3.4trln merger talks with Glencore
Shares in Glencore surge 10% on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, closing at over R100-per-share
2 mins
January 12, 2026
The Star
Meta partners with US nuclear companies to power AI data centers
TECH giant Meta has announced major agreements with three US nuclear energy companies that it says will add up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean power by 2035.
2 mins
January 12, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size