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Aryna Sabalenka defends 'Battle of the Sexes' match after Brisbane International win
Aryna Sabalenka defended her 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Nick Kyrgios after she opened her 2026 season with a 47-minute victory against Cristina Bucsa.
Women's world number one Sabalenka lost 6-3 6-3 to Kyrgios in a much-publicised exhibition match in Dubai last month.
Belarusian Sabalenka, a four-time major winner, said it helped her fitness after she swept aside Spain's Bucsa, ranked 28th in the world, 6-0 6-1 in the second round of the Brisbane International.
"When you play against a guy, the intensity is completely different," Sabalenka said.
"Especially when there is Nick, who is drop-shotting every other shot, you move a lot, so there was a great fitness for me."
Sabalenka, Keys on track for quarter-final blockbuster
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Last year's Australian Open women's final combatants are on a collision course for a Brisbane International quarter-final showdown after both had straight-set wins in the second round.
Defending Open champion Madison Keys prevailed 6-4 6-3 over fellow American McCartney Kessler, while world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka destroyed Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-0 6-1 in 48 minutes.
Both have to get through third-round clashes but world No.7 Keys, who beat Sabalenka in three sets in last year's Australian Open final, is aware of the dangled carrot and the challenge ahead of her.
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Venus Williams loses in Auckland but still competitive at 45 while Nick Kyrgios falls at first hurdle in Brisbane
Venus Williams and Nick Kyrgios both beaten as Aryna Sabalenka drops just one game; Brits Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal both win; Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app
Venus Williams lost her first singles match of 2026 in Auckland but showed she is still competitive at 45 while Nick Kyrgios fell at first hurdle in Brisbane.
Williams was given a standing ovation after going down to fifth-seeded Magda Linette at the WTA Tour tournament in New Zealand.
The American put up a superb show before losing 6-4 4-6 6-2 to the No 52-ranked Linette, who was only two years old when Williams played her first professional singles match.
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