Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, Elina Svitolina and Alexander Bublik each picked up an individual title as the 2026 tennis season got underway with a bang.
Poland, meanwhile, finally took home the United Cup despite Iga Swiatek’s poor form.
Sabalenka, Medvedev conquer Brisbane
World number one and four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka dismantled an in-form Marta Kostyuk 6-4 6-3 to retain her Brisbane International title without dropping a set.
“Every day you go out there and prove your level, and I think this week I did it really well,” the Belarusian told reporters.
Other results saw Kostyuk surprise second seed Amanda Anisimova 6-4 6-3 in the round of 16 and fourth seed Jessica Pegula 6-0 6-3 in the semi-finals, with 11th seed Karolina Muchova knocking out third seed Elena Rybakina 6-2 2-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals.
On the men’s side, Russian top seed and 2021 US Open winner Medvedev bested Brandon Nakashima 6-2 7-6 in the showpiece.
Nakashima upset second seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 6-4 in the round of 32, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard overcame fourth seed Tommy Paul 7-6 3-6 7-6 at the same stage, and third seed Jiri Lehecka retired hurt in the round of 16 when 3-6 2-1 down against Sebastian Korda.
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Svitolina triumphs in Auckland
In New Zealand, top seed Svitolina beat seventh seed Xinyu Wang 6-3 7-6 (8-6) to claim the ASB Classic.
“It feels amazing, especially after a not-great end to last season,” she admitted post-match.
“It was nice to get tough matches this week and win the final. Hopefully, we can build on that for the rest of the season.”
Earlier in the tournament, Francesca Jones toppled second seed Emma Navarro 7-5 2-6 6-4 in the round of 32, Ukrainian Svitolina ousted third seed Iva Jovic 7-6 6-2 in the semi-finals, and Wang outplayed fourth seed Alexandra Eala 5-7 7-5 6-4, also in the last four.
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Bublik takes Hong Kong
Over at the Hong Kong Open, second seed Bublik outlasted top seed Lorenzo Musetti 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 in the final.
“I have no words,” the Kazakh star said after the win.
“The only goal for this season was to achieve the top 10 and in the first week, I am winning the title and I have made the top 10.
“If you had told me that last April, I would have never believed you. For me standing here, it is a big pleasure and I hope to continue in the same way.”
Musetti dispatched third seed Andrey Rublev 6-7 7-5 6-4 in the semi-finals, while qualifier Michael Mmoh knocked out fourth seed Karen Khachanov 7-6 7-6 in the round of 16.
Poland win United Cup
Having suffered defeat to Germany in 2024 and the United States in 2025, Poland secured a long-awaited United Cup crown in Sydney thanks to a 2-1 victory over Switzerland.
Belinda Bencic subdued world number two Swiatek 3-6 6-0 6-3 and Hubert Hurkacz outfought Stan Wawrinka 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the singles match-ups before Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski trumped Jakub Paul and Bencic 6-4 6-3 in the doubles to decide proceedings.
“It was such a team effort,” Swiatek explained on court.
“I am really happy we won and I will always remember it. It shows how big we are in tennis and maybe we can inspire the next generation.
“The only thing I maybe did today was get Belinda tired! Even though my singles performance wasn’t perfect, I really felt the support. My team got my spirits up.”
In the semi-finals, Poland eliminated the USA and Switzerland saw off Belgium, both by a score of 2-1.
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