Aryna Sabalenka defends 'Battle of the Sexes' match after Brisbane International win - BBC Sport

Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka defends the 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Nick Kyrgios after opening her season with a crushing win in Brisbane.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sabalenka is the defending champion at the Brisbane International

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.