Nick Kyrgios got here out on prime within the newest ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match with a straight-sets victory over girls’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai.
Sabalenka’s aspect of the court docket was shriveled by 9 per cent for the three-set contest, with the modified guidelines additionally seeing each gamers restricted to at least one serve for every level somewhat than the standard two.
A ten-point deciding tie-break would have been applied if required, however Kyrgios – who has performed simply 5 singles matches this 12 months due to accidents – wanted round 70 minutes to see off Sabalenka 6-3 6-3.
Sabalenka walked out to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on her solution to the court docket
The made-for-TV conflict noticed laughing and joking between the gamers, some under-arm serves from Kyrgios and even some dancing from Sabalenka throughout a timeout to entertain the group.
Sabalenka walked out to ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and had the early backing from the group in comparison with Kyrgios, who negotiated the marginally smaller “equaliser” court docket to interrupt his opponent to like within the third sport.
The subsequent 4 video games went in opposition to serve earlier than Kyrgios held to like to maneuver 5-3 forward, the place he broke Sabalenka once more on his solution to closing out the opening set.
Sabalenka threatened to power a comeback when she received three consecutive video games to go 3-1 up within the second set, the place she used her 60-second timeout to bop to the Macarena, earlier than Kyrgios received the following 5 video games and clinched victory off his third match level.
Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka embraced on the web on the finish of their attention-grabbing contest
The match on the Coca-Cola Enviornment had drawn comparisons with one of the crucial well-known tennis contests in historical past, when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs on the Houston Astrodome in 1973.
That exhibition adopted Riggs beating Margaret Court docket earlier that 12 months, whereas different contests dubbed ‘Battle of the Sexes’ embrace Jimmy Connors defeating Martina Navratilova in 1992.
Kyrgios: It may have gone both method!
Kyrgios has dropped to world No 673 and hasn’t featured on the ATP Tour since March due to accidents, with the Australian admitting that the rating line of his successful comeback may have been nearer.
Nick Kyrgios impressed throughout his straight-sets win
“Honestly, it was a really tough match,” Kyrgios stated. “She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. Obviously, she’s a multiple Grand Slam champion.
“I did not actually know what to anticipate. She broke my serve quite a few instances. Truthfully, I needed to strap in as a result of she was placing the strain on. She was hitting some superb pictures.
“Honestly, I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and also what I have left in the tank. Ultimately, it was a really hard-fought battle. There were breaks back and forth.
Sabalenka had backed herself pre-match to come back out on prime in Dubai
“I wouldn’t call myself the champion tonight – seeing someone as great as Aryna out here and myself, I think it truly was a spectacle. I think this is a great stepping stone forward for the sport of tennis.
“In fact, I used to be nervous. I do not assume many individuals would have put their hand as much as be on this place, particularly in my place. Aryna was up for the problem and the scoreline was nearer than it was.”
Sabalenka takes positives from straight-sets loss
Sabalenka won the US Open in August and reached the semi-finals or better in all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2025, with the Belarusian keen to take positives from her loss into the new season.
Former footballer Ronaldo was among the many celebrities watching from the sold-out crowd
“I felt great. I think I put up a great fight and he was struggling. I think it was a great level. I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, had great drop shots.
“I actually loved the present and I really feel like subsequent time – once I play him – I already know the ways. I do know his strengths, his weaknesses and it will be a greater match for positive.
“I love to challenge myself and I would love to play again. The court is different – I had to do a couple adjustments. Obviously playing against a guy is completely different tennis and everything is much faster. It was great fitness for me today.”
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