Rafael Nadal defeated Dominic Thiem 7–5, 6–1 in the first round of the ATP 250 Brisbane tournament on hard court. As the pre-match favourite with odds of 1.6, Nadal delivered a convincing performance, particularly in the second set where he dominated with a 6–1 scoreline. Thiem, positioned as the underdog at 2.48, struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match, especially after a competitive opening set. The Austrian's inability to sustain the pressure in the first set proved costly, as Nadal's superior court control became increasingly evident as the match progressed. This dominant display underscored Nadal's strong form heading into the Australian summer, establishing him as a formidable threat in the early-season tournaments.