Battle of the Sexes ‘brought eyes on tennis’

After winning the match 47 minutes to avenge Cristina Bucsa in the 2026 season, Aryna Sabalenka defended her “Battle of the Sexes” against Nick Kyrgios.

In a highly anticipated exhibition match in Dubai last month, Sabalenka, the women’s world no. 1, lost to Kyrgios 6-3, 6-3.

Sabalenka, a four-time major winner from Belarus, said it improved her fitness after beating Spain’s Bucsa, who was 28th overall, 6 0 6-1 in the Brisbane International second round.

The intensity is completely different when playing against a guy, Sabalenka said.

However, Sabalenka claimed that the game “attracted a lot of attention.”

It was not about proving anything to anyone, they said. She claimed that it demonstrated how important tennis can be.

It was enjoyable during that exhibition. It presented a significant challenge.”

In round three, Sabalenka will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, who was given a first-round bye in Brisbane.

At the ASB Classic in Auckland, British number four Katie Boulter defeated Yulia Starodubtseva of Ukraine to begin her season.

Boulter won 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of her first game since October, and her first under new coach Michael Joyce.

Given a wildcard in the WTA 250 main draw, she will face Ukrainian top seed Elina Svitolina.

Boulter, who had dropped out of the top 100 in the world, was unable to claim a spot in the Australian Open’s main draw.

Without enough withdrawals, she will need to qualify for Melbourne Park and become the third alternate.

In the opening round of Auckland, compatriot Sonay Kartal defeated Indonesian Janice Tjen 6-1, 6-6 (4-7) 6-3.