Episode 2 of The Big T podcast combined listener questions, new segments and candid conversation. Danielle Collins made an in-studio debut alongside Coco Vandeweghe, and the panel tackled topics ranging from player pet peeves to the Australian Open’s one-point event.

On the court, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reminded everyone why she sits atop the rankings. The 27-year-old, four-time Grand Slam champion romped through the Brisbane draw, with no opponent pushing her past 6-4 in any set. The opening week also highlighted a scheduling quirk: all of the WTA’s Top 24 competed while four of the ATP’s Top 8 skipped the first week. Brad Gilbert, with Vandeweghe and Collins, offered a reason: “Most of the top women are much more active to start the year because you guys have 500 [level] tournaments.”

January’s calendar places Brisbane and Adelaide as WTA 500 events while the simultaneous ATP tournaments are at the 250 level. Later in the swing, Doha and Dubai are 1000 level for the women and 500 for the men, which gives the WTA more time in the spotlight early in the season.

Poland won the United Cup, but world No. 2 Iga Swiatek struggled, losing to Coco Gauff in straight sets and then to Belinda Bencic in three, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Vandeweghe noted the toll January competition can take: “Coming into January, you’re supposed to be refreshed… And you’re already mentally frazzled.”

The episode also discussed the Australian Open’s 1 Point Slam, where recreational players could win large sums for scoring a single point against a pro. “I think if you have a big serve,” advised Gilbert, “go for big serve on first and second.” Vandeweghe observed that the format could tighten pros, and several stars failed to land their lone serve in the box.

A new segment, High-Percentage Tennis, produced spirited debate, including questions about coaching and speculation about future matches. “Will Juan Carlos coach a woman? No chance, there’s zero chance,” said Vandeweghe. Collins replied, “I’m gonna call him right now, let’s see if he wants to work with Danielle Collins. You think he can handle me?”

New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka reached the Brisbane International final for the third consecutive year with a 6-3, 6-4 victory Saturday over Karolina Muchová.

Sabalenka closed out the semifinal at Pat Rafter Arena on her fourth match point, surviving a late surge from the Czech player and moving on to Sunday’s final against the winner of a later semifinal between fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula and Marta Kostyuk.

Earlier in the week, Sabalenka produced a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final, breaking Madison Keys in five straight service games on the way to a 6-3, 6-3 win on Friday. Last year at Melbourne Park, Keys beat Sabalenka for her first Grand Slam singles title.

Despite seeing three match points slip away amid Muchová’s late pressure, Sabalenka sealed the result when a Muchová shot sailed long. She finished the match with 32 winners and saved all four break points she faced.

“I always try to stay in the present,” Sabalenka said. “I worked really hard and each match against her is just another opportunity to get the win and I’m super happy that today was the day when I was able to get the win. She is such a great player and I always enjoy battles against her.”

The Brisbane International serves as a tuneup event for the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 18. Sabalenka will aim to carry the momentum from this semifinal into Sunday as she competes for her 13th WTA 500-level final.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka moved into the semifinals of the Brisbane International with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 5 seed Madison Keys, avenging their Australian Open final. The top seed and defending champion required one hour and 30 minutes to close out the win and improve to 6-2 in their head-to-head.

“She’s a great player, always tough battles against her,” Sabalenka said, speaking to Jelena Dokic on court after improving to 6-2 in her head-to-head against Keys.

“The whole match I was trying to stay focused, I was trying to stay in control on my serve and put as much pressure as I can on her serve.

“That’s all I was thinking about, and I think I did it well. She’s aggressive, but I tried to put all that speed back on her.”

Playing her first tournament of the 2026 season, Sabalenka has not dropped a set at the WTA 500 event. In the opening set Keys produced 16 winners to Sabalenka’s six, and it took nearly 30 minutes for the players to reach 3-3. From that point Sabalenka seized momentum and began to swing more freely, taking control of the set.

The second set proved tighter than the scoreline indicated. Keys broke Sabalenka’s serve twice as the world No. 1’s frustration grew, and Keys was visibly managing the effects of a previous marathon match. The American had advanced with a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4) win over No. 12 Diana Shnaider the day before and was wearing medical strapping on her left thigh during the match.

Sabalenka’s reward is a semifinal against Karolina Muchova, who beat No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Muchova holds a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head; Sabalenka won their first meeting in 2019 and Muchova has taken the subsequent three meetings, most recently in the Beijing quarterfinals in 2024.