Kyrgios sinks Sabalenka in ‘Battle of the Sexes’ clash

By Richard Hookham

Nick Kyrgios has safely come through his showdown with women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in their much-hyped “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match that had divided opinion in the tennis world.

Australian maverick Kyrgios fended off the game’s top female player with a 6-3 6-3 victory in front of a big crowd at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, although the 30-year-old admitted he was given a gruelling work-out in “a really tough match”.

The clash borrowed it’s name from the classic 1973 match between American great Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets in Houston.

But there were pre-event rumblings that this contest risked undermining advances in the women’s game if Sabalenka was beaten too easily.

Yet the big-hitting Belarusian gave as good as she got, unleashing an impressive array of groundstrokes to really test her Aussie opponent, now a lowly 671 in the rankings.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios’ career has been beset by injuries and four rounds of knee and wrist surgeries meaning he has played just six ATP Tour matches in more than three years.

And it was no surprise he was blowing hard after the longer rallies on Sunday.

The best-of-three sets encounter had modified rules, including just one serve for each player and a slightly smaller court for Sabalenka.

She opened the match with a successful service hold before Kyrgios rallied and then earning a break in the seventh game and seeing out the first set on the half-hour mark.

The Canberra star took the first game of the second set, but Sabalenka fought back to win the next two and then held again for a 3-1 lead in the second.

But Kyrgios, who always seemed to have another gear, again drew level before pulling away and sealing a straight-sets victory punctuated with trademark underarm serves and cheeky half-volley chips.

“Honestly it was a really tough match, she is a hell of a player and such a great champion,” Kyrgios said on court afterwards.

“I didn’t really know what to expect. Whatever role I was to play, it was just another great opportunity to go out here.

“She broke my serve numerous times, and I had to strap in.

“Honestly, I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and what I have left in the tank.

“Ultimately it was a really hard fought battle, and there was breaks back and forward.”

Despite not playing in a Tour singles match since March, Kyrgios has received a wildcard entry for the January 4-11 Brisbane International, although he so far remains without an Australian Open entry.

And he looked relieved to have come through what was always going to a tricky test.

“Of course I was nervous. Not many people would have put their hand up to be in this position,” Kyrgios added.

“I’m just glad, from where I was, I wasn’t able to use my right hand. To even get back out here and compete with Sabalenka, honestly it’s emotional.”

In contrast, Sabalenka, 27, arrived in dominant form after winning her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open and banking 59 wins this season.

“It felt different, the court was different,” said the two-time Australian Open champion, who showed she is already looking good for another crack at the season’s first grand slam in Melbourne next month.

“Obviously playing against a guy is different, everything is much faster. I hope for the next couple of days I will have great recovery, I’m pretty much ready for the season and I hope I will bring great tennis.”