Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka showcased her dominant form at the Brisbane International on Tuesday, insisting that her recent exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios had prepared her perfectly for the new season.
Sabalenka destroyed Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1 in just 48 minutes during the second round of the season-opening tournament. Her emphatic performance served as a strong statement ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.
Sabalenka’s Swift Victory Highlights Readiness
The 27-year-old world number one raced through the first set in just 22 minutes and completed the second set in 26 minutes. Bucsa, ranked world number 50, struggled to cope with Sabalenka’s power and precision throughout the match.
“It shows that the exhibition in Dubai against Nick Kyrgios really paid off,” Sabalenka said. “When you play against a guy, the intensity is completely different. Especially Nick, who was drop-shotting every other shot, made me move a lot. It was a great fitness challenge.”
She added, “That exhibition was fun. It was a great challenge. It brought so many eyes to tennis. It wasn’t about proving something; it was about showing that tennis can be really huge.”
Sabalenka’s confidence after the match was clear. She credited the unusual December 28 exhibition in Dubai for preparing her physically and mentally for the Brisbane International.
Up Next for Sabalenka
In the third round, Sabalenka will face either Jelena Ostapenko or Sorana Cirstea. If she continues her winning form, she is on course to meet Madison Keys in a quarter-final rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, where Keys emerged victorious.
Keys, who had a bye into the second round, defeated fellow American McCartney Kessler 6-4, 6-3 to progress to the third round. She admitted that starting her season in the second round posed its own challenge.
“I felt like it took a little bit just to find my rhythm,” Keys said. “Once I did, I settled in better and could play my game.”
Upsets in the Men’s Draw
The men’s draw saw two major upsets. Second-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Canadian fifth seed Denis Shapovalov both suffered early exits.
American Brandon Nakashima defeated Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, while Belgian qualifier Raphael Collignon caused a shock by beating Shapovalov 6-4, 6-2. These results open up the draw for lower-ranked players to make a deep run in Brisbane.
Sabalenka’s Takeaway
Sabalenka’s ruthless victory and fitness from the Kyrgios exhibition send a strong message to the competition: she is fully prepared for the Australian Open. Her blend of power, movement, and mental readiness makes her one of the top contenders for the season’s first Grand Slam.
