(Video) Aryna Sabalenka Refuses to Show Gift From a Fan After Reaching the Brisbane Semifinals
Aryna Sabalenka has stayed on course to defend her Brisbane title.
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Aryna Sabalenka refused to show a gift from a fan (via Instagram)
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Aryna Sabalenka was in sublime form at the Brisbane Open as she stayed on course to defend her title. The Belarusian star dispatched reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys in straight sets. However, she caught attention for the developments that happened right after the match.
While signing autographs, a fan seemed to have gifted the World No.1 something. However, Sabalenka refused to disclose its identity in her post-match interview. Sabalenka said in her post-match interview:
Well, I’m not gonna tell… My team is going to grab it from my bag.. Got a little secret with the girl.
Sabalenka is one of the favorites to win the Australian Open despite coming up short against Keys last year. The World No.1 saw her dream of doing the hat-trick in Melbourne end thanks to the American, but she will be determined to regain her crown after another consistent season in 2025.
Sabalenka finished the season as the World No.1 for the second consecutive season, highlighted by her US Open title win. However, she lost three important finals (Australian Open, Roland Garros and the WTA Finals).
Aryna Sabalenka confirmed as the top seed for the Australian Open
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is set to lead the field as the top seed at the upcoming Australian Open, while defending champion Madison Keys has narrowly secured a place inside the top ten after her Brisbane quarter-final exit.
Sabalenka’s position was never in doubt, as she holds a commanding points advantage at the top of the WTA rankings. Her consistency over the past season has firmly established her as the leading contender heading into Melbourne.
Iga Swiatek will anchor the opposite half of the draw as the second seed, maintaining a sizeable gap over those below her. Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, has now been confirmed as the third seed following results in Brisbane. Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula round out the next positions, with Pegula unable to climb higher before the seedings deadline despite still competing this week.
Only a few spots within the top ten remain unsettled as the cutoff approaches. Mirra Andreeva could improve her ranking by one place, while Belinda Bencic remains in contention to break into the top ten depending on results at the United Cup. These late shifts may slightly reshape the seeding order but will not affect the top of the draw.
Further down the list, Victoria Mboko is on course to receive the 17th seed, just behind former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka. However, potential movement remains possible if Karolina Muchova or Elise Mertens produce strong runs in their respective events.
Withdrawals from Zheng Qinwen and Veronika Kudermetova have already caused a ripple effect, benefiting players like Emma Raducanu, though even her position could still change before the final list is confirmed.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Madison Keys in Brisbane
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka secured a place in the semi-finals of the Brisbane tournament with a straight-sets win over Madison Keys on Friday, January 9. The world No. 1 delivered a composed performance to claim a 6-3, 6-3 victory. The encounter lasted one hour and 29 minutes and highlighted Sabalenka’s control from start to finish.
The top-ranked Belarusian imposed herself early by relying on a strong first serve and clean shot-making. She committed only three unforced errors in the opening set, allowing her to dictate the tempo. That efficiency helped her build confidence and maintain pressure on Keys throughout the match.
Keys attempted to mount a comeback, showing resilience when she faced a critical moment while serving. Despite being just one point away from dropping further behind, she fought hard to stay in contention. Sabalenka, however, remained mentally solid and refused to let the momentum shift.
This victory continues Sabalenka’s positive run against Keys following last year’s Australian Open final loss. She has now beaten the world No. 7 in two consecutive matches without dropping a set. Sabalenka will next face Karolina Muchova, who eliminated Elena Rybakina, with a place in the Brisbane final at stake.
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