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The Brisbane International 2026 is one of five tournaments happening concurrently in the first week of the new season. The WTA 500 event will run from January 4-11. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka returns to defend her title, and six of her fellow top 10 cohorts have tagged along with her.
Every section of the draw is stacked with big names. Aside from Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, Leylah Fernandez, Elena Rybakina, and Mirra Andreeva are some of the other notable names. Former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova also returns after an injury hiatus.
All 16 seeded players have received a bye into the second round. With an action-packed week lined ahead of us, here's a look at how the Brisbane International draw could unfold over the course of the week:
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Top half: Aryna Sabalenka's road to title defense filled with familiar rivals
Seeded players: (1) Aryna Sabalenka, (3) Elena Rybakina, (5) Madison Keys, (7) Ekaterina Alexandrova, (11) Karolina Muchova, (12) Diana Shnaider, (14) Jelena Ostapenko, and (15) Paula Badosa
Expected semifinal: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina
Dark horse: Sofia Kenin
Aryna Sabalenka has established herself as the woman to beat Down Under, compiling a 33-2 record in the country since the start of 2023. Titles in Adelaide (2023), Brisbane (2025), and at the Australian Open (2023, 2024), along with runner-up finishes in Brisbane (2024) and at the Melbourne Major (2025) showcase her dominance.
However, defending her Brisbane International title won't be easy. After a first-round bye, she will begin her title defense against either Cristina Bucsa or a qualifier. Jelena Ostapenko could await her in the third round, though the latter will enter 2026 on a four-match losing streak. She hasn't won back-to-back matches since May 2025 as well.
Sabalenka's probable quarterfinal opponent is likely to be Madison Keys. The latter hit a purple patch in Australia last year, winning the Adelaide International and the Australian Open. However, the second half of 2025 wasn't as memorable for her, with a shoulder injury adding to her woes. Her path to the last eight is lined up with the likes of McCartney Kessler, Diana Shnaider, and Daria Kasatkina.
Elena Rybakina is the next highest seed in this half of the draw. She's currently on a 11-match winning streak, thanks to her red-hot form towards the end of the 2025 season. She won the Brisbane International in 2024, beating Sabalenka in the final. She could meet Paula Badosa in the third round, and either Karolina Muchova or Ekaterina Alexandrova could await her in the quarterfinals.
A showdown between Sabalenka and Rybakina in the semifinals wouldn't be surprising. The latter beat the former in the final of the WTA Finals to conclude 2025 on a high. However, neither player has tallied consecutive wins over the other for quite some time. If the pattern continues, then this will be Sabalenka's time to shine.
Semifinal prediction: Aryna Sabalenka def. Elena Rybakina
Bottom half: Amanda Anisimova gunning for her maiden Brisbane International title
Seeded players: (2) Amanda Anisimova, (4) Jessica Pegula, (6) Mirra Andreeva, (8) Clara Tauson, (9) Linda Noskova, (10) Liudmila Samsonova, (13) Leylah Fernandez, and (16) Marta Kostyuk
Expected semifinal: Amanda Anisimova vs Jessica Pegula
Dark horse: Marketa Vondrousova
Amanda Anisimova cemented her position among the tour's elite in 2025. She won two WTA 1000 titles, peaked at No. 4 in the rankings, and was the runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open. She will aim to continue her impressive results in 2026 as well.
Anisimova will begin her quest for the Brisbane International title against either Kimberly Birrell or a qualifier. A potential third-round date with Marta Kostyuk could be on the horizon, unless the Ukrainian is upset by either Karolina Pliskova or Hailey Baptiste.
The American could run into teen star Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. After a strong start to 2025, which included two WTA 1000 titles, the Russian teen couldn't maintain the momentum. Her path to the quarterfinal is tricky, with strong players such as Marketa Vondrousova and Linda Noskova in her section of the draw.
Jessica Pegula's consistency earned her another top 10 finish at the end of 2025. She will face either Anna Kalinskaya or Tereza Valentova in the second round. Leylah Fernandez, who upset Pegula en route to the title in Washington last year, could be the American's third-round opponent.
Either Clara Tauson or Liudmila Samsonova could be Pegula's quarterfinal opponents, provided neither are upset in the previous rounds. Tauson could be a tough prospect for the American, considering the 23-year-old's solid results in 2025. With wins over the likes of Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in the past year, Tauson could give Pegula a run for her money.
Semifinal prediction: Amanda Anisimova def. Clara Tauson
Brisbane International 2026: Prediction for the final
Amanda Anisimova will be the overwhelming favorite to reach the final from the bottom half of the draw. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are the favorites from the top half to reach the final, with Sabalenka holding the edge to make the final if they clash in the semifinals.
Anisimova leads Sabalenka 6-5 in the head-to-head, though the latter has won their last two matches. Sabalenka triumphed in the final of the US Open and the semifinals of the WTA Finals. However, the American could turn the tables on the defending champion this time.
Prediction for the final: Amanda Anisimova def. Aryna Sabalenka
