Unsurprisingly, Australia's Nick Kyrgios has defeated women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the latest "battle of the sexes" exhibition match in Dubai.
In a widely criticised piece of entertainment marketed under the same banner of the era-defining match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973, Kyrgios won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in front of a sold-out crowd.
While the modified rules — Sabalenka's side of the court was 9 per cent smaller and each player was restricted to a single serve per point — meant no-one was quite sure what to expect of the actual spectacle, the outcome was fairly predictable.
Kyrgios, who has fallen outside the ATP top 600 after barely playing for three years, never looked particularly challenged.
One of the main arguments in favour of the event, and it being good for tennis, was that at least we'd see two players showcase their talents. But each were significantly limited.
Sabalenka by a no second serve and her constant aiming to deny Kyrgios's forehand for the entire evening, while the Australian had to adjust to the strange court size of where he was hitting to, and tired out very quickly.
There were moments the classic personalities that the fans came out to see were on show.
Kyrgios attempted to argue with the chair that a ball called out was clearly in after losing a game, while Sabalenka called a strategic timeout during the second set and immediately danced the macarena into the camera. The latter being a clear example of how much this was not a real match.
Even the fanfare felt forced, and by the end, each looked glad it was over. The whole ordeal, all wrapped within an hour and a half.
You can catch up on all the action through our live blog below.Yesterday, 2:14am
That's it from us
Thank you for joining us (especially those in Australia in the very wee hours of the morning), for that exhibition match.
It won't be long until we'll be blogging real matches in the AO. We'll see you then and there.
Good morning (or good night)!
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What did Sabalenka get out of that?
Much criticism of the exhibition match has revolved around it being a 'lose-lose' for women's tennis. 'What does Sabalenka get out of a hit out like this?,' many asked.
Well, other than the huge pay check, the women's world number one told the crowd it was good practice as the upcoming season of tennis approaches.
“It was a great level [of tennis]. I made a lot of great shots. I really enjoyed the show. I feel like next time when I play him I know all his tactics and strength," she said in her post-match interview on court.
“Of course it felt different. I had to do a couple of adjustments. Playing against the guys is completely different. Everything is faster. It was a great test of my fitness. I hope I can recover well.
“I am pretty much ready for the season after this match. I hope to bring joy to the people during the season."
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'I had to strap in': Kyrgios
"That was a really hard battle, my serve was broken a few times. She's a great competitor," Nick Kyrgios told the crowd following his win.
"It was a really hard fought battle and there were breaks back and forth.
He added that "this was all the world has been talking about for the past six months" (despite it only announced two and a bit months ago) and "it could have gone either way there".
"Of course I was nervous, I don't think many people would put there hand up to be in this position," he said.
"I was under the pump there."
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