Aryna Sabalenka topples Renata Zarazua, makes last 16 at Brisbane Open

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka insists she has a few new tricks and tips up her sleeve for the new Hologic WTA Tour season, ones she hopes will boost her to even greater heights than her world number one edition in 2024. The Belarus-born star has toppled Renata Zarazua, edging out a bagel in the second straight set in the Brisbane International.

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Sabalenka d. Zarazua 6-4 6-0

No surprises here.

Aryna wins her first match of the season.

A lot has changed since she reached the final here last year.

It’s her first time arriving to Australia as the world #1.

✅Won 5 of last 6 matches in Brisbane

Owning it. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/YIrkRuPqaz

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 31, 2024

The world number one thwarted Renata Zarazua by 6-4, 6-0 to make it to the top 16 of the Brisbane International 2025 at the Queensland Tennis Centre on December 31. The 26-year-old fired on all cylinders after a competitive first set as she dished out a bagel in the second straight set, winning almost 73 percent on the first serve return points and 67 percent on the second set of the game. In total, the star player broke Zarazua five times and hit five aces.

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Meanwhile, she is set to face Yulia Putintseva now and aims to make it to the top 8. After an impressive win, the 26-year-old tennis star has talked about how she utilized her spare time to mark her magnificent return to the courts.

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Aryna Sabalenka wins opening singles match at Brisbane International 2025

Aryna Sabalenka after beating Zarazua to win first match of the season in Brisbane

“Did you have some time to relax and recuperate in the off-season?”

Aryna: “I had some time off. I went back to Florida and slept in my bed. I was really tired from the hotels every week. After… pic.twitter.com/NgqxKaY3BK

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 31, 2024

“I had some time off. I went back to Florida and slept in my bed. I was really tired from the hotels every week. After such an intense season I felt like I could rest for another month. My team was calling me trying to reach out, making sure I got to the plane on time. I was late for the first plane. I thought I was flying out at night but it was actually in the morning. I was like ‘Ok guys I think we need another ticket’. It was funny. I was like ‘Ok, whatever. An extra day off. Thank you," Aryna Sabalenka said after the win.