Third seed Aryna Sabalenka has stormed to a 6-2 6-2 victory over compatriot Victoria Azarenka to win the inaugural J&T Banka Ostrava Open and the first all-Belarusian WTA final.
Former world No.1 Azarenka, who has been in top form since tennis restarted following its pandemic-enforced hiatus, needed a medical timeout in the second set and ended up losing the match in 68 minutes.
Sabalenka had to twice battle back from the brink of defeat – first against American Coco Gauff and then against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo – to reach the final, but showed no sign of the inconsistencies that have often dogged her on the big stage.
She dominated from behind the baseline with her trademark powerful groundstrokes, running away with the match after breaking early in each set.
The world No.12 wrapped up the one-sided affair with an unreturnable serve out wide and celebrated her seventh WTA career singles title and second of the year with a fist pump and a kiss blown to the heavens.