Aryna Sabalenka and Daniil Medvedev were among the top names who started the 2026 season with title wins. Both players were in menacing form Down Under, sending a message to the rest of the field in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
The two, however, were not alone in the winner’s circle as a total of four Tour-level trophies were at stake this week. Here, we take a quick rundown at the action that unfolded:
Aryna Sabalenka – Brisbane International
Score in the final: def. Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Marta Kostyuk in the Brisbane International final 6-4, 6-3 to start her season in flawless fashion. She was the biggest winner of the week, taking home the only 500-level title at stake and her 22nd on Tour.
The World No. 1 did not drop a single set throughout the tournament. She also beat Madison Keys, reversing the result from last year’s Australian Open final. Other wins included those over Karolina Muchova, Sorana Cirstea and Cristina Bucsa.
Daniil Medvedev – Brisbane International
Score in the final: def. Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 7-6(1)
Daniil Medvedev was a 6-2, 7-6(1) winner over Brandon Nakashima in the Brisbane International final. The tournament was an ATP 250-level for the men’s side, but nonetheless ensured that the former World No. 1 took his career title count to 22 and heads into the Australian Open on a confidence-high.
Medvedev had endured a rough 2025 season, winning just one match at the Grand Slam level and only one title to show for. He has already matched the latter start one week into 2026. He beat the likes of Alex Michelsen, Kamil Majchrzak, Frances Tiafoe and Marton Fucsovics en-route.
Elina Svitolona – ASB Classic
Score in the final: def. Wang Xinyu 6-3, 7-6(6)
The second trophy on the line for the women’s side went to Elina Svitolina, who scored a 6-3, 7-6(6) win over Wang Xinyu in the summit clash. Besides taking a 19th career-title, the Ukrainian also took home the Ruia Morrison korowai, which honours the namesake Maori tennis legend.
Svitolina was tested by the likes of Xinyu, Iva Jovic and Sonay Kartal but stood firm to inch closer to a top-10 return. She also beat the likes of Katie Boulter and Varvara Gracheva to capture the title.
Alexander Bublik – Hong Kong Open
Score in the final: def. Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(2), 6-3
Alexander Bublik rounds up the winner’s circle, taking home the Hong Kong Open trophy with a 7-6(2), 6-3 upset win over top seed Lorenzo Musetti in the final. His brilliant start to the season comes at the back off a career-best year in 2025, during which he had captured four titles.
The Kazakh had scored a comeback win over Marcos Giron in the semifinal, having previously beaten Shang Juncheng and Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. It was a ninth career title for him overall.
Read More:
Novak Djokovic Brutally Attacked by Federer-Nadal Fans After Controversial PTPA Announcement
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
