World number one Aryna Sabalenka has qualified for the final of the Brisbane International following a straight-sets victory over Mirra Andreeva.

Sabalenka is the two-time Australian Open champion and brushed aside the 17-year-old sensation Andreeva with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in an ominous show of dominance a week before the first Grand Slam of the new season.

The Belarusian broke Andreeva once in the first set and twice in the second to make the final, where she will meet Polina Kudermetova following her 6-3, 6-4 win over Ahlina Kalinina in the other semi-final.

Sabalenka was the runner-up in the Brisbane International a year ago and, having absorbed a decent amount of pressure from Andreeva in the opening set, is surely the one to beat going into the final.

Andreeva worked three break-point opportunities within Sabalenka's opening service game, but the latter was able to hold off the charge and repel another break point to hold at 4-3. Andreeva then let down her guard to allow Sabalenka the only break of the first set.

From then, and with a set in hand, Sabalenka cranked things up and broke Andreeva twice more in the second set to earn an impressive win.

"It's always the same tactic for me: stay aggressive and put my opponent under so much pressure," Sabalenka said following her victory.

"I'm really glad that against Mirra I was able to play such aggressive tennis. Seems like everything was working really well for me.

"She's an amazing, young player. I'm pretty sure she's going to be Top 10 soon and for so long."

With the Australian Open looming, and Sabalenka going for a third successive title, she believes she is coming into it stronger than ever.

"I definitely think that I have improved a lot mentally, physically and skills as well," she said.

"I think every year I'm getting a little bit better. Mentally and physically I'm definitely stronger than I was last year."

Sabalenka's opposition in the final comes in the shape of Russian qualifier Kudermetova, who is ranked 106th in the world. Her fairytale run at the tournament continued with victory over Kalinina in the other semi-final, but her toughest test awaits in the final.

Way to paint the corners, @SabalenkaA.

An artful display from the world No.1 earns our @EvieNetworks play of the day!#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/bpDHeg7C87
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) January 4, 2025

Data debrief: Sabalenka looking ominously efficient

Sabalenka's victory here was her 40th in total in Australia.

The Belarusian finished with 26 winners and 22 unforced errors, compared to 23 winners and 26 unforced errors from Andreeva.

The teenager also failed to convert any of her eight break-point chances.