Ukrainian tennis player Lyudmyla Kichenok, in partnership with Latvian player Jelena Ostapenko, won the trophy at the Brisbane International Australian tournament.
Brisbane International, final, doubles: Minnen/Watson – Kichenok/Ostapenko – 0:2 (5:7, 2:6)
In the decisive match, the Ukrainian-Latvian pair faced Belgian Greet Minnen and Briton Heather Watson. Kichenok and Ostapenko defeated them in two sets, with the first set starting with a triple (!) exchange of breaks.
The opponents then focused a bit on their own serves. However, in the eleventh game, the Ukrainian and Latvian duo once again took a point on the opponents' serve. They immediately closed the set on their own serve.
The second set was easier for Kichenok and Ostapenko. With two breaks, they quickly pulled away (4:0). Minnen and Watson later stabilized their game on their own serves, but it was not enough. As a result, with a "love" service game, the Ukrainian-Latvian duo concluded the set and the match after the eighth game.
For Kichenok and Ostapenko, the Brisbane trophy is the third they have won together. Previously, they triumphed in Birmingham and Cincinnati in 2022. The Brisbane International tournament served as preparation for the first major of the year, the Australian Open.