PA Media/DPA
London
World number one Aryna Sabalenka began the new season with a straightforward victory at the Brisbane International.
Sabalenka, who will bid for a third straight Australian Open title next month, needed only 65 minutes to see off Mexican Renata Zarazua 6-4, 6-0.
The Belarusian told a press conference: “I’m super happy to be back in Australia. It really feels like home. I love the atmosphere.
Doesn’t matter where you play, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, it’s always an amazing atmosphere.
“It’s great to start the season, playing the tournament before the big one. I really hope I can do well here and I can come back really strong in Melbourne.”
Ons Jabeur, playing her first tournament since August following a shoulder injury, reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over 14th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“I played really good and I’m happy with the level,” said the two-time Wimbledon finalist.
“We came to Brisbane expecting nothing. We didn’t know whether we should come or not. After not playing for a while, the points are much different than playing in training. I’m very happy with the win and hopefully I can continue the level.”
Teenager Mirra Andreeva was also victorious, beating Anna Blinkova 6-4, 6-4, but fourth seed Paula Badosa, fifth seed Diana Shnaider, sixth seed Anna Kalinskaya and seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko all lost.
Raducanu pulls out of
first tournament of season with back problem
Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the first tournament of the new season through injury.
The 22-year-old was forced to withdraw from the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, with a back problem.
“Tried my best to be ready,” Raducanu said on the WTA website. “I love Auckland and the fans here but unfortunately picked up a back niggle and won’t be ready in time.”
The tournament was to be Raducanu’s first since hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
The former British number one has been beset with fitness issues since her stunning triumph at the US Open in 2021, and she missed two months at the back end of last season with a foot injury.
Raducanu trained at the National Tennis Centre in London after helping Britain reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup last month before heading down under for some warm-weather work over Christmas.
She was seeded sixth in Auckland and was due to meet 20-year-old American Robin Montgomery in her opening match. The tournament also features former grand slam champions Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin.
It is another blow for Raducanu as this latest injury problem will not help her preparations for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open, which begins on January 12.
