Brisbane International 2025 Final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Aryna Sabalenka vs [Q] Polina Kudermetova
Tournament: Brisbane International 2025
Round: Final
Venue: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, Australia
Category: WTA 500
Date: January 5, 2025
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize Money: $1,520,600
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova preview
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on qualifier Polina Kudermetova in an intriguing summit clash at the 2025 Brisbane International on Sunday.
Sabalenka, who was the beaten finalist (lost to Elena Rybakina) last year, has been in solid form all week. She opened her campaign with a dominant win over Renata Zarazua before being tested by Yulia Putintseva but came through that challenge to secure her toughest win of the new year so far 7-6(2), 6-4.
The Belarusian has since scored straight-sets wins over the likes of Marie Bouzkova and Mirra Andreeva to ensure a 4-0 start to the season. She will now have her eyes on the trophy.
Kudermetova, meanwhile, also finds herself amid a career-best start to the season. Including her wins in the qualification rounds, she has now gone 6-0 to start 2025. The Russian’s biggest wins have come against compatriots Daria Kasatkina and Liudmila Samsonova as well as the feisty American Peyton Stearns. She has dropped two sets (against Kasatkina and Samsonova) in her six matches so far.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova head-to-head
Sabalenka and Kudermetova have never crossed paths on Tour before, so their current head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova odds
(Odds will be added once they're available)
Aryna Sabalenka vs Polina Kudermetova prediction
Given the huge gulf in the rankings and level of experience, Aryna Sabalenka will come into the contest as the firm favorite to win. She will, however, need to be wary of Polina Kudermetova.
The Russian has been impressive on serve as well. Barring her match against Daria Kasatkina, she was winning nearly 75% of the points behind her first delivery and not allowing opponents too many looks at a break.
Much like Sabalenka, she also likes going after the ball and fans can expect some big hitting from the baseline. That said, Sabalenka remains better equipped at generating pace.
The Belarusian will look to take on the role of the aggressor. She has kept her cool through most of her matches and done exceptionally well to overturn early deficits in matches against Yulia Putintseva and Marie Bouzkova.
Kudermetova is unlikely to go down without a fight but the lack of exposure on playing big finals and an explosive opponent may overwhelm her in the final.
Pick: Sabalenka to win in two tight sets