Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina to win first Indian Wells title
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka captured her long-awaited maiden title at the Indian Wells Open after edging Elena Rybakina in a dramatic three-set final.
Sabalenka rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) on Sunday, saving a match point in the deciding tiebreak before sealing victory in one of the most gripping finals of the season.
The triumph ends a frustrating run for Sabalenka against Rybakina in major finals and gives the Belarusian her first Indian Wells crown.
Revenge after painful finals
Sabalenka had endured several heartbreaking defeats against Rybakina in recent title matches. The Kazakh star had won their previous four finals meetings, including a victory at Indian Wells in 2023 and another dramatic encounter earlier this year at the Australian Open.
This time, however, Sabalenka finally turned the rivalry around. “Thanks God I got this trophy,” Sabalenka said after the match, visibly relieved following the dramatic victory.
A match of momentum swings
Rybakina started strongly, controlling the opening set with her powerful groundstrokes and precise serving. She broke Sabalenka early in the second set as well, appearing on course for another big-final victory.
But Sabalenka responded by adjusting her tactics. Instead of simply trading power from the baseline, she began mixing in:
- Drop shots
- Net approaches
- Off-speed serves
Those variations disrupted Rybakina’s rhythm and allowed Sabalenka to claw her way back into the match.
Dramatic deciding set
The third set produced the most intense moments of the contest. Sabalenka appeared close to victory after securing an early break, but Rybakina responded with relentless return pressure to level the score at 5-5.
The Kazakh player then saved five break points in a marathon service game to force a deciding tiebreak. In the tiebreaker, Rybakina held a match point at 6-5, but Sabalenka delivered a stunning backhand winner to stay alive. She followed it with two fearless points to finally secure the title.
Sabalenka celebrates a life-changing week
Beyond the tennis court, the Indian Wells triumph capped a remarkable personal week for Sabalenka. Following the final, she thanked her fiancé in a light-hearted message while reflecting on everything that had happened in just a few days.
“And… thanks my fiancé,” Sabalenka joked. “What a week. Getting a puppy. Getting engaged. Winning a title. I’ll definitely remember it for the rest of my life.”
Sabalenka’s big-final statement
The victory marks Sabalenka’s 10th WTA 1000 title and a significant moment in her 2026 season. Winning at Indian Wells helps erase some of those doubts and adds another major trophy to her growing list of achievements.
Her performance in high-pressure moments, especially the deciding tiebreak, underlined why she remains one of the most formidable players in the sport.
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Matches between Sabalenka and Rybakina are quickly becoming one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s tennis. Both players rely on powerful serves and aggressive baseline play, often producing thrilling, high-intensity contests.
Their latest showdown in the California desert delivered another classic encounter, and this time it was Sabalenka who walked away with the trophy.
SportsLigue