Elena Rybakina thrashed Aryna Sabalenka 6-0 6-3 to claim the Brisbane title while Coco Gauff defended her title in Auckland.
Starting with Rybakina, the Kazakh produced a dominant display in Brisbane to win the title.
Losing only three games to the Australian Open champion, Rybakina dominated from the baseline as she claimed her sixth career title.
Speaking after the match Rybakina praised Sabalenka for pushing each other to the limit, “Despite the score, it’s always tough to play against you,” Rybakina was quoted by the WTA website as saying.
“We always push each other and I think that’s great. We improve this way, so hopefully we continue.”
As for Sabalenka, it’s back to the drawing board as she prepares for her first Grand Slam title defence.
In Auckland, Coco Gauff defended her title after a thrilling three set battle with Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina.
The US Open champion lost the opening set on a tiebreak 7-4 before the American stormed back to win the next two sets 6-3.
After the match Gauff said she was more pleased with her performance than the result as she prepares for Melbourne, “I don’t know if I was expecting this result, but I’m really happy with how I managed to play today,” the world number three told the WTA website.
“I think today level-wise was definitely not my best match or best level this week, but sometimes when you win when you’re not playing your best, it makes you feel more satisfied.”
Gauff will now look to use this confidence this week as she aims to win her second consecutive Grand Slam title in Melbourne with the Australian Open starting next Sunday.
