Aryna Sabalenka has begun her 2026 tennis season with an impressive performance. Competing at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, she showcased her skills in her singles match against Cristina Bucsa. The World No. 1 dominated the match, winning decisively with a score of 6-0, 6-1 in just 47 minutes. This victory marks one of the quickest matches of her career.
Match Highlights
Sabalenka’s performance was characterized by her powerful serve and aggressive play. After facing a break point early in the match, she capitalized on her next opportunities to take control. The first set concluded in a swift 22 minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the match. In total, she hit 18 winners with only nine unforced errors, sealing her victory with an ace.
Dominance in Season Debuts
This win continues a trend for Sabalenka, as it marks her fourth consecutive victory in season-opening matches. She boasts an impressive 8-1 record in her last nine season debuts on the WTA Tour. Notably, this is the third year in a row that she has achieved a bagel—winning a set 6-0—in her opening match.
Looking Ahead
As the defending champion, Sabalenka aims to secure her third title at the event in four years. She is set to face the winner of the match between Sorana Cirstea and Jelena Ostapenko in the next round. Further along in the tournament, she may encounter formidable players like Madison Keys and Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
2025 Season Overview
Entering 2026, Sabalenka retains her place as World No. 1 for the second year running. She completed the previous season with remarkable achievements, including four titles, such as the US Open and two WTA 1000 events in Miami and Madrid. In total, she reached nine finals while finishing as runner-up at the Australian Open, French Open, and WTA Finals.
Point Defenses and Rankings
Despite the challenge of defending significant points from her previous season, Sabalenka has a strong lead of over 2,300 points ahead of World No. 2, Iga Swiatek, as she embarks on the new year.
