🔥 The women’s WTA Tour calendar for 2026 ignites with the Brisbane International, a premier Australian Open warm-up that has quickly become a proving ground for the sport’s elite. But for World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, the tournament is less about preparation and more about a singular, burning goal: revenge against her chief rival, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The American powerhouse arrived in Queensland with the memory of the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh still fresh. In a brutal, high-stakes semifinal, Sabalenka extinguished Anisimova’s title aspirations with a gut-wrenching $6-3, 3-6, 6-3 triumph. That defeat, which saw Anisimova fall just short of the year-end championship match, is now the ultimate fuel for her early 2026 campaign on the Plexicushion hard court tennis of the Queensland Tennis Centre.
The Power Rivalry: Head-to-Head History Sets the Stage
A potential blockbuster quarterfinal clash looms in Brisbane, pitting the two hardest hitters in the game against each other. Anisimova currently maintains a narrow 6-5 edge in their overall head-to-head record. Crucially, on the hard courts where both players thrive, the score is deadlocked at 3-3, guaranteeing any future encounter will be a genuine coin-flip three-set thriller.
Anisimova enters the season opener following a career-defining 2025 WTA Tour season. After returning from a career break, the 24-year-old climbed back into the elite, capturing two prestigious WTA 1000 titles (Doha and Beijing) and reaching her first two Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon and the US Open). Her list of scalps in 2025 was truly remarkable, featuring 10 top-10 victories, including stunning defeats of both Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, proving her game can dismantle any player on any day.
Sabalenka’s Reign and the Favorite Tag
While Anisimova has the motivation, Aryna Sabalenka has the titles and the ranking. The Belarusian behemoth concluded 2025 as the undisputed year-end World No. 1, posting an outstanding 63-12 record and clinching four titles, including the prestigious 2025 US Open crown. She also made history by breaking the WTA’s single-season prize money record.
Furthermore, Sabalenka is the two-time defending champion at the Brisbane International, underscoring her affinity for the Australian conditions. The 27-year-old’s relentless power and consistency have made her the overall tournament favorite at -200.
However, Anisimova possesses the tools to crack the Sabalenka fortress. The American’s blistering return of serve is among the best in the sport, and her exceptional 79\% win rate in final sets throughout 2025 suggests she has the mental fortitude to endure Sabalenka’s pressure.
Brisbane: A Stacked Field on the Road to Melbourne
Beyond the anticipated Anisimova vs Sabalenka showdown, the Brisbane International draw is packed with talent, promising an electric atmosphere ahead of the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. Joining the two power players are other major contenders, including former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and US Open winner Madison Keys, ensuring that any route to the final will be a gauntlet.
Experts are already predicting that if the rivals meet, Anisimova will channel the WTA Finals Riyadh heartbreak into a focused, straight-sets statement victory, marking a significant early-season psychological blow. Betting trends highlight the explosive value of this potential matchup, with high totals suggesting a protracted battle that will easily surpass the 22.5 games line.
The stage is set for a dramatic opening week. Anisimova’s quest for revenge is the narrative engine of the tournament, providing the perfect spark for what promises to be an explosive WTA Tour season.