Brisbane: Karolina Pliskova said her tough three-set win over Madison Keys in the final of the Brisbane International on Sunday was the ideal preparation for next week's Australian Open. The Czech world number two won 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours, seven minutes on Pat Rafter Arena. Pliskova's third Brisbane title in four years and her 16th on the WTA tour stamps her as one of the favourites for the year's first Grand Slam. The former world number one is yet to win a Grand Slam singles title, but she reached the semi-finals in Melbourne last year, falling in three sets to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.

Pliskova beat Osaka in a marathon three-hour semi-final on Saturday night, and the way she backed up to defeat Keys in another gruelling clash on Sunday shows she has form and fitness heading into the Australian Open. She said while she still saw the Brisbane International primarily as part of her Melbourne preparations, it was a good tournament to win. "Especially beating the last two players, Naomi and Madison," she said. "I think it always gives you some extra confidence and at least you know which level are you at, so I think it was a great way to start the year.