ARYNA Sabalenka has ended her WTA Tour season in style with a couple of crowns at the Ostrava Open, winning both the singles and doubles titles to round out her year. The Belarusian up and comer knocked over compatriot and former world number one Victoria Azarenka in the singles to claim her seventh career title, before teaming straight up with Belgian Elise Mertens to grab more silverware in the doubles.

The third seed and world number 12 blitzed her compatriot in the singles who is ranked just one spot below her, triumphing in a one-sided 6-2 6-2 victory in the singles final of the Ostava Open. In a history-making event that saw two Belarusian’s in a WTA Tour final for the first time, Sabalenka needed just 68 minutes to trounce the in-form Azarenka, something she was pumped about.

“I’m so excited I was able to handle a high level from her from the very first point,” Sabalenka said post-match. “I was able to stay with her and it didn’t affect me, so I’m really happy to get this win. “It’s so important for me.

“After some of the tough matches I had, I felt less pressure going into the others. “I was able to play more freely, and I knew I could come back no matter what. “Matches like the ones I played this week helped me be more consistent and focused.”

The win turned around her US Open loss to Azarenka last month, where it was this time Sabalenka’s turn to only win four games in a 6-1 6-3 defeat. The pair had only met at the US Open twice, with Sabalenka winning last year before Azarenka’s triumph last month. In a quick turnaround, Sabalenka had plenty of lessons from her big loss to the two-time Grand Slam winner which she put into practice for this match.

“After our US Open match, I sort of knew what to expect coming into this one, that she was going to move me around the court,” Sabalenka said. “It was going to be long rallies and I was going to have to move really well to win these points. “I prepared myself well for this match, and it didn’t surprise me. “I hit a crazy passing shot on the first point, and it was a great start for me. “The first six games was a really high level.”

Unfortunately for Azarenka she had suffered from a bad migraine from the day before and while she fought through it, she was unable to make too much ground, winning a lowly 48 and 33 per cent of her points off her serve compared to Sabalenka’s 77 and 47 per cent. She also only broke once compared to Sabalenka’s five from seven in a big win.

“I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to make myself feel better,” Azarenka said post-match. “I took it as something like a challenge for myself, and what I could do to perhaps find a solution for the next time. “I’m proud I was able to at least go through with that.”

Meanwhile Sabalenka teamed up with Mertens to take out the doubles with another huge win, defeating Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani, 6-1 6-3 for the Belgian and Belarusian’s fourth doubles title. Mertens praised her younger teammate.

“Aryna’s really playing well this week, in singles and doubles,” Mertens said post-match. “We played at a consistent level this week, especially in the final. She’s the hard-hitter, and I’m the one with the hands. We both give 100% in doubles even if we’re still in the singles, so that’s why we do well.”

Picture: Jimmie48 / WTA