World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina have continued their 2026 campaigns in emphatic fashion with victories at the Brisbane International.

Sabalenka earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Sorana Cîrstea in the third round in front of a packed Pat Rafter Arena.

Cîrstea's 11 winners were no match to Sabalenka's 31.

Meanwhile, Rybakina had a tougher task, coming up against former world number two Paula Badosa in the very next match.

The pair are two of the most powerful ball-strikers on tour, and before this match were locked at four wins each head-to-head.

But it was Rybakina who prevailed 6-3, 6-2 in a match that looked much tougher than the scoreline suggests.

"It's always tough to play against Paula, she has great shots and plays really quick, so it wasn't easy," Rybakina said on court.

"I started a little bit slow, but I'm happy I managed to win.

"My serve wasn't helping so much, but I had to manage the points and stay aggressive on the returns."

Elena Rybakina was dominant, showing off her incredible tennis IQ in the match. (AAP: Darren England)

Badosa, the 15th-seeded Spaniard, got off to a flying start and only dropped one point in the match to lead 2-0.

But Rybakina levelled the playing field at 2-2, showing an impressive display of her tennis IQ.

An unfortunate moment of back-to-back double faults from Badosa allowed the Kazakh to take the lead 4-3.

Rybakina then continued to push Badosa off the baseline, not allowing her to dictate any points, which was crucial in claiming the opening set 6-3.

There was not a lot statistically to differentiate between the pair, but Badosa's four double faults contributed to the downfall.

Paula Badosa put up a tough fight, but couldn't claim a set in the third-round clash. (AAP: Darren England)

As in the first set, Rybakina attacked the Spaniards second serve, pushing her further back off the baseline.

This forced Badosa to play defensive tennis, an incredibly tough feat.

In the end, Rybakina's ability to show composure in the crucial moments allowed her to gain a comprehensive victory over Badosa.

Rybakina, the number three seed, will face Karoline Muchová in the quarter-finals.

Sabalenka keeps title hopes alive

The defending Brisbane champion jumped on Cîrstea early, breaking her serve in a statement first game.