Overview
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Sorana Cîrstea 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Brisbane International quarter-finals.
- She criticized the season as "insane" and said she will skip some tournaments in 2026 to protect her health despite likely fines or points deductions.
- Sabalenka and Iga Świątek were docked ranking points in 2025 for not meeting the WTA 500 event minimum under rules requiring four majors, 10 WTA 1000s and six WTA 500s.
- Her next match is set against Madison Keys, who outlasted Diana Shnaider in three tiebreakers and beat Sabalenka in last year’s Australian Open final.
- Elena Rybakina also advanced and will face Karolina Muchová in the last eight, and the WTA has previously said player welfare remains a top priority.