BATTLE OF THE SEXES! FALLACY OR FARCE?

When murmurs began about Aryna Sabalenka facing Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition match billed as the new ‘Battle of the Sexes’, many wondered what it was setting out to achieve.

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After Kyrgios’ 6-3 6-3 win in Dubai on Sunday, that question is still being pondered.

A particular point of discussion was what women’s world number one Sabalenka, 27, stood to gain by facing a man whose fortunes have plunged following a career-threatening wrist injury.

For 30-year-old Kyrgios, 67Ist in the men’s rankings, it represented an opportunity to stay relevant and use the court time to prepare for a potential comeback to the ATP Tour in 2026.

Ultimately the much-hyped match lacked the intensity and entertainment promised by the buildup.

The contest turned out as many expected - an off-season exhibition played at a pedestrian pace.

“T think it didn’t quite live up to what I thought it might be,” said former British number one Annabel Croft.

Following a year where she won four titles including the US Open, Sabalenka finished as the best women’s player in the world for the second season running.