OMNISPORT

Elina Svitolina claimed the biggest title of her career to date on Saturday, thumping Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1 in the final of the Brisbane International. World number six Svitolina enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2017 - winning five tournaments, including three Premier 5 events.

However, the Ukrainian broke new ground in Brisbane by securing her first Premier-level trophy, courtesy of a dominant display against qualifier Sasnovich.

"It was a tough, tough off-season," said Svitolina in an on-court interview. "To start with a trophy is always very, very special."

Sasnovich had come from a set down to win her first three main-draw matches, but had no answer to Svitolina's power after falling behind on this occasion.

A low first-serve percentage hampered the Belarusian, who apologised to the crowd for her performance before adding: "It was an incredible week for Elina - she was better than me and deserved to win."

Svitolina is set to rise to fourth in the WTA rankings on Monday and has now won her last six finals.