Press releases

MINSK, 6 January (BelTA) – Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus lost to Ukrainian world number 6 Elina Svitolina at the Brisbane International women's final, BelTA has learned.

The Ukrainian became the first champion of the 2018 season, defeating qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich to win the Brisbane International, 6-2, 6-1.

Sasnovich was looking to become the first qualifier to win the title in Brisbane but her incredible run was stopped in her eighth match of the week.

Despite the defeat, the tournament in Brisbane was a success for the Belarusian.

The Belarusian started Brisbane in the qualifying round. She beat Russia's Polina Monova (178), U.S. Julia Boserup (135) and Australian Isabelle Wallace (235). In the main draw Aliaksandra defeated Kristina Mladenovic of France (11), Estonian Anett Kontaveit (34) and French Alize Cornet (38).

Aliaksandra Sasnovich will go up the WTA rankings thanks to her performance in Brisbane. The next tournament for the Belarusian is the Australian Open, which is due to take place in Melbourne on 15-28 January.