Kyrgios beats Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3: ‘Battle of the Sexes’ – as it happened

The much-anticipated 2025 rendition of the Battle of the Sexes ends with Nick Kyrgios winning 6-3, 6-3 over Aryna Sabalenka.

The women’s world number one put up a stiff fight, but was certainly hamstrung by the single-serve rule. Kyrgios, who was definitely tested fitness-wise, just had enough in his bag of tricks to pull off the result.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this fascinating encounter, and on behalf of Al Jazeera, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

We shift our focus back to football next week.

On Tuesday, December 30, Premier League leaders Arsenal take on third-placed Aston Villa in a match that could ultimately decide which way the trophy is heading next year.

The blog is set to kick off at 18:15 GMT.

We will also have our live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations that day. Uganda will take on Nigeria in their final group match, with our live blog beginning at 14:00 GMT.

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DAZN caught up with Nick Kyrgios as well: “Honestly, it was a really tough match. She is a hell of a competitor. She is a multiple Grand Slam champion. I didn’t know what to expect.

“It was a great opportunity to come out here. She broke my serve numerous times, and I had to strap in.

“I would love to play her again to showcase her talent. I want to show what I have left in the tank. I won’t call myself a champion tonight. It was a great spectacle, and a move forward for tennis.

“Of course, I was nervous. Not many people would have put their hand up to be in this position. Aryna [Sabalenka] was up for the challenge. The [game] was a lot closer than what is shown.

“This is all the world was talking about for the last six months. To even get out here and compete against someone as great as Aryna is special.

“I took away one of her strengths – her first serve. She is an amazing athlete. She was executing some shots that some of the top men play. She is right up there, and it could have gone any way.”

DAZN caught up with Aryna Sabalenka to get her thoughts on the match: “I felt great. I put on a great fight. He was struggling. He was getting tired. I was happy to see that.

“It was a great level [of tennis]. I made a lot of great shots. I really enjoyed the show.

“The next time I play him, I know his tactics and strengths, so it will be better for sure. Yeah, I would love a rematch and to challenge myself.

“Of course, it felt different [playing on the different-sized court]. I had to do a couple of adjustments. Playing against the guys is completely different. Everything is faster. It was a great test of my fitness. I hope I can recover well.

“I am pretty much ready for the season after this match. I hope to bring joy to the people during the season.

“[Regarding her unusual grand entrance] I had a little different idea, but didn’t have enough time to prepare. It was my and my team’s idea. I think it was quite fun and I like to do crazy stuff.

“I wish we could do it more often during the season. I think it is a lot of fun, isn’t it?”

Kyrgios was able to land a single ace, compared to Sabalenka landing none.

Where Sabalenka really faltered was the loss of a second serve, as she committed five faults to Kyrgios’s one.

Surprisingly, the Belarusian only had one unforced error, whereas Kyrgios had six.

Sabalenka is playing with more aggression. She mishits her backhand into the net on the right side, and lets out a visceral scream in response.

She is then unable to rein in Kyrgios’s kick serve down the right side as the Australian wins this edition of the Battle of the Sexes in straight sets.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-6 Kyrgios 

Sabalenka is able to take it to deuce after Kyrgios finds the net.

But Kyrgios gets to match point after Sabalenka is unable to return, before a wicked backhand volley up at the net sends the game back to deuce.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-5 (40-40) Kyrgios 

Sabalenka whittles off a fantastic winner down the right side to make it 30-40, and stay alive.

Kyrgios then calls for a time out. Fittingly, Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees blares over the speakers.

Sabalenka will be hoping she can do that to take this match into a third set.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-5 (30-40) Kyrgios 

A strong first serve is too much for Sabalenka to handle, before she is undone once more by a perfect serve-and-volley from the Australian down the left side.

She is able to make it 30-15 after Kyrgios finds the net with his backhand. Another strong serve puts Kyrgios just a point away.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-5 (15-40) Kyrgios 

Kyrgios is handed the advantage after his backhand catches the top of the net, and then falls luckily on Sabalenka’s side. He apologises profusely to the crowd for the unfairness of it all.

Sabalenka is then broken after she faults on her serve. Kyrgios is just a game away now from closing out this 2025 rendition of the Battle of the Sexes.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-5 Kyrgios 

Sabalenka misses the mark with her forehand down the right side as well, as Kyrgios is handed a double break point opportunity.

But the Australian allows the Belarusian a glimmer of hope with an errant backhand miss down the left side to make it 30-40.

Sabalenka then saves both break points after Kyrgios hits the net with his backhand.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-4 (40-40) Kyrgios 

Kyrgios goes long with his backhand as Sabalenka takes a 15-love lead.

Sabalenka overhits her forehand down the right side, making it 15-all.

She then completely misses her forehand down the left side, sending it well over the sideline.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-4 (15-30) Kyrgios 

Sabalenka’s backhand down the right side is too fierce for the Australian.

But Kyrgios catches the net with his backhand down the left side to make it 15-30, before Sabalenka is unable to control her backhand return off Kyrgios’s kick serve.

Kyrgios then rushes to the net before volleying expertly to the vacant left side to make it 40-30. Kyrgios holds successfully after Sabalenka’s backhand return finds the net.

That is three straight games for the Australian after being previously down 3-1 in the second set.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-4 Kyrgios 

Sabalenka faults once more as Kyrgios is handled a double break point.

She then unleashes a strong backhand winner down the right side to cut it 30-40.

But her backhand return down the left side is called long, so Kyrgios is able to break and level the set at three games apiece.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-3 Kyrgios 

Sabalenka faults to make it love-15. She is then unable to return Kyrgios’s forehand to send the game to love-30.

But she battles back with a powerful forehand cross-court winner, which leaves the Australian rooted to his spot.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-2 (15-30) Kyrgios 

Sabalenka is able to send the game to deuce with a backhand up the right line.

Kyrgios executes a rasping forehand winner down the left side to take advantage.

Kyrgios then finishes it off with a wonderful low backhand winner down the left side that is just too good for Sabalenka.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-2 Kyrgios 

Sabalenka stretches but is unable to get her forehand away down the right side.

Kyrgios levels the game with a wonderful kick serve that is too hot for the Belarusian to handle.

Sabalenka requests a time out as the players take a breather. The Belarusian uses it to dance the Macarena as the song blares over the speaker.

Not sure it is the best use of a time out. But this isn’t your typical tennis match, is it?

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-1 (30-30) Kyrgios 

Kyrgios finds the net with his underhand serve to make it love-15.

Sabalenka rushes to the net before executing a powerful passing shot down the middle to make it love-30.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-1 (30-0) Kyrgios 

Sabalenka lands her forehand down the left side to take advantage once more.

Kyrgios then misses his forehand down the right side as Sabalenka goes up 3-1 in the second set.

Sabalenka 3-6, 3-1 Kyrgios 

Kyrgios’s drop shot is just short as Sabalenka is handed the advantage.

She then overhits her forehand baseline return down the middle to revert the game back to deuce.

Kyrgios sends Sabalenka well down the right side, with the Belarusian unable to return her backhand, handing Kyrgios an advantage.

But Sabalenka rescues deuce once more after Kyrgios fails to get his forehand away on the right side.

Sabalenka 3-6, 2-1 (40-40) Kyrgios