Aryna Sabalenka placed on a present, however Nick Kyrgios closed the showdown.
Kyrgios got here again from 1-3 down within the second set defeating Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in in the present day’s Battle of the Sexes exhibition match on the Coca Cola Enviornment in Dubai.
World No. 1 Sabalenka smiled and danced at occasions through the contest, whereas Kyrgios seemed a bit extra burdened however dealt with the stress denying the packed area a possible third-set tiebreaker.
“In fact I used to be nervous. I don’t suppose many individuals would put their hand as much as be on this place,” Kyrgios stated. “The scoreline was nearer, I used to be below the pump there—I used to be nervous. This was all of the world was speaking about for the previous six months.
“To even get again out right here and play, and play somebody as nice as Aryna is fairly emotional.”
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Fifty-two years after Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs within the unique Battle of the Sexes showdown on the Houston Astrodome, this exhibition lacked the cultural impression, however nonetheless delivered some leisure worth.
Not like the King vs. Riggs best-of-three-set conflict again in 1973, this was a streamlined Battle of the Sexes format.
It was a best-of-three-set match. Every participant acquired just one serve somewhat than the normal two serves per level and Sabalenka’s facet of the court docket was 9 % smaller in each size and width giving her much less court docket to cowl and Kyrgios much less house to strike.
Afterward, Sabalenka stated she noticed Kyrgios was tight and tried to make him play.
“I felt nice, I believe I put up an excellent combat,” Sabalenka stated. “He was struggling, he acquired actually tight—and I used to be pleased to see one of many guys getting tight and getting a win on my serve.
“I believe it was an excellent stage, I performed a variety of nice photographs. Actually loved the present. I really feel like subsequent time, after I play him, I do know the ways, his strengths, his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a greater match for certain.”
