Elina Svitolina cruises to Brisbane International title ahead of Australian Open
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New world number four Elina Svitolina has cruised to her 10th career title by sweeping aside qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-1 in the Brisbane International final.
The Ukranian third seed took advantage of an opponent playing her first top-level final, countering any brief resistance with some superb ball striking on Pat Rafter Arena to wrap up the tournament decider in 65 minutes.
Svitolina jumped to a 3-0 lead to start the rout before Sasnovich, of Belarus, found range with her dangerous backhand and briefly threatened to make a contest of the final.
But Svitolina unleashed a backhand barrage of her own to break again and seal the first set, before running away with the second set to claim the crown and have her named engraved on the Evonne Goolagong Cawley trophy.
The 23-year-old started the week ranked number six in the world having won five titles in 2017 and peaking at a career-high number three.
She is now expected to move up to number four for this month's Australian Open, where she will have a target on her back.
AAP
Topics: tennis, sport, brisbane-4000
