SYDNEY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Marta Kostyuk claimed her third consecutive win against a top-10 opponent on Saturday to reach the final at the Brisbane International where she will play world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Kostyuk, the world number 26 from Ukraine, beat the sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in 55 minutes in the semifinals in Brisbane on Saturday.
It follows Kostyuk's straight sets victories over world number three Amanda Anisimova and number nine Mirra Andreeva in the round of 16 and quarterfinals on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Kostyuk won 17 of the first 19 points against Pegula on Saturday, including a streak of 13 straight points, as she raced to a 4-0 lead in 10 minutes.
Pegula had her first break point of the match in the following game, but it was saved by Kostyuk with a backhand drop shot at the net.
"I started unbelievable," Kostyuk said on court after the match.
"I think it's really important with Jess to make her play, to make her run and I think I did that really well today."
Kostyuk again went ahead 3-0 in the second set before Pegula was able to hold serve for the first time, however the American could not break serve to get back in the match as Kostyuk converted her first match point with her fourth ace.
Sunday's match against Sabalenka, who advanced to the final by beating Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 earlier on Saturday, will be Kostyuk's fourth career singles final on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour and her first since 2024, with her sole title coming in 2023. ■
