It is the first week of the WTA 2026 season, but tennis fans were already treated to an instant classic. 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys was pushed to her absolute limit by an in form Diana Shnaider in a 2 hour and 57 minute captivating Round of 16 match at the 2026 Brisbane International WTA 500 tournament.
This match had a little bit of everything including lead shifts, momentum swings, injury time outs, and three tiebreaks, one to decide each set.
In the end, Keys was just a little bit better than Shnaider in the final tiebreak, but there was little that separated them throughout the match.
Shnaider won the first set and was up a break in the second before Keys began her comeback.
The injury time outs were for Keys who reemerged with her quadricep tightly wrapped, and Shnaider had an upper arm/elbow issue that resulted in strapping of her left serving arm.
What Is Next For Madison Keys At 2026 Brisbane International?
Keys will need to recover quickly as she is set to play World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. Sabalenka is the defending Brisbane International champion, and she was also the finalist in Keys’ maiden Grand Slam win in Melbourne last January.
Sabalenka’s time on court was considerably less in quantity and stress so she will be the fresher of the two players.
After the match, Keys admitted that she was jumping in the ice bath immediately to get the recovery process underway.
WTA tennis is at such a high level that fans got a high-level match in the first week of the season, proving that any given day at any tournament, anyone can win.
Watch Brisbane International on the Tennis Channel through January 11.
