Sydney, Jan. 6 -- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka opened her 2026 season with a dominant victory at the Brisbane International tennis tournament on Tuesday.
Sabalenka defeated Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1 in 48 minutes in their second-round match. The Belarusian, who is the defending champion in Brisbane, was granted a first-round bye.
Playing in her first competitive singles match since the WTA Finals in November 2025, Sabalenka controlled the contest from the outset, winning the opening set in 22 minutes and racing to a 5-0 lead in the second before Bucsa was able to hold serve for the first time.
Sabalenka, who is seeking a third Australian Open singles title later in January, converted her first match point opportunity in the followin...