Five finals, one Sunday: Tennis’ first titles of the season are up for grabs

Tennis doesn’t ease into its seasons. The sport is already, in its opening week, everywhere all at once in Australia…and New Zealand…and Hong Kong.

To say that Sunday is finals day is something of an understatement. Five of them will go off at various times tomorrow—or in the wee hours if you’re watching in the U.S. and Europe.

Here’s a preview and a pick for all five.

United Cup

Sydney, Australia (5:30 P.M local time; 1:30 A.M. ET)

Switzerland vs. Poland

These two teams may be tired after a long week of singles and doubles play—as well as no rest after their semifinals. But they’ll both be riding high after winning those semis 2-1, in dramatically tight doubles matches.

The opening women’s singles, between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic, will be especially intriguing, as past history goes up against current form. Swiatek has history on her side: She has dominated their head-to-head 5-1, and she beat Bencic in straight sets at this event two years ago. But Bencic is better form right now. She has been the surprise of this year’s edition, going 8-0 in singles and doubles, often in clutch fashion. Swiatek, meanwhile, will be coming off a dispiriting straight-set loss to Coco Gauff.

Following that, Hubert Hurkacz is scheduled to take on uber-veteran Stan Wawrinka in the men’s singles. If the 40-year-old Wawrinka does play, how quickly can he recover from a three-set semifinal loss to Zizou Bergs? Hurkacz leads their H2H 1-0.

Winner: Poland

Brisbane International

Women’s Final (4:00 P.M. local, 1:00 A.M. ET)

Aryna Sabalenka vs. Marta Kostyuk

Sabalenka is the favorite for all the usual reasons. She’s No. 1 in the world, she’s the defending champ, she’s 4-0 against her opponent, and 8-0 in sets against her. And this week she has done what a No. 1 is supposed to do, beating all four of her opponents, including Madison Keys and Karolina Muchova, in straight sets.

But Kostyuk, at least for this day, has a chance, because she appears to be playing the tennis of her life in Brisbane. She has beaten three Top 10 opponents this week, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula, all in two sets.

She’ll still be overmatched by Sabalenka, but she won’t be intimidated or resigned to defeat. Going down fighting, against everyone, is the Kostyuk way.

Winner: Sabalenka

Brisbane International

Men’s Final (6:30 P.M local, 3:30 A.M ET)

Daniil Medvedev vs. Brandon Nakashima

Medvedev, with new coach Thomas Johansson, seems determined to reverse his 2025 slide, and show that he has some career left. Which, at 29—he’ll turn 30 in a month—he should. He has always played well in Australia, and he has moved through the Brisbane draw pretty methodically.

The 24-year-old Nakashima, meanwhile, is looking to make a jump in 2026. He has spent the last three years inching upward, from 38 to 35 to his current 33. Can this young American, who has an elite two-handed backhand, crack the Top 30 and beyond? A win here would send a message. But I don’t think he’s going to get it.

Winner: Medvedev

Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open

Hong Kong, S.A.R. (3:30 P.M. local time; 2:30 A.M. ET)

Lorenzo Musetti vs. Alexander Bublik

This is a near-Top 10 matchup: Musetti is ranked seventh, Bublik 11th. Each had a career year in 2025, but how much farther either of them can climb is a questions mark. Musetti is a stylish 23-year-old with lots of time ahead, but his one-handed backhand may make life an uphill battle as he tries to join the Top 5 and crack the Alcaraz-Sinner code. Bublik is a super-talent as well, but he’s also a free spirit who may always have trouble with sustained motivation and concentration.

All of which means this could be a good one.

Winner: Bublik

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ASB Classic

Auckland, New Zealand (5:00 P.M local, 11:00 P.M. ET)

Elina Svitolina vs. Wang Xinyu

The indefatigable Svitolina, now 32 and starting her 18th season, is the favorite. She’s ranked 44 spots higher than Wang (13 to 57). She won their only previous meeting 6-2, 6-1. And she’s a sneaky amazing 18-4 in finals.

Winner: Svitolina