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World number one Aryna Sabalenka kick-started her Australian Open preparations with a ruthless performance at the Brisbane International, defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1.
The match lasted only 48 minutes, with Sabalenka needing just 22 minutes to sweep the first set and another 26 to seal the victory against the world number 50.
Sabalenka attributed her sharp form to a recent exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios in Dubai.
She noted that facing Kyrgios’s high intensity and frequent drop shots provided excellent fitness and preparation for the speed of the professional tour.
According to Sabalenka, the exhibition was not just a personal challenge but a successful attempt to draw more attention to the sport.
The Belarusian powerhouse now moves into the third round to face either Jelena Ostapenko or Sorana Cirstea.
A potential quarter-final rematch against Madison Keys looms; Keys also advanced on Tuesday with a straight-sets win over McCartney Kessler, though she admitted to some early-season “rust” compared to Sabalenka’s clinical start.
In the men’s bracket, the tournament saw significant shake-ups as two top seeds fell. American Brandon Nakashima ousted second seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while fifth seed Denis Shapovalov suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of Belgian qualifier Raphael Collignon.
