WTA Indian Wells Round-Up | Elena Rybakina defeats Svitolina to set final clash with Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina advanced to the final of the BNP Paribas Open after straight-sets victories in the semi-finals at Indian Wells. The World No. 1 Sabalenka defeated rising Czech Linda Noskova 6–3, 6–4 earlier in the day, before Rybakina followed with a 7–5, 6–4 win over Elina Svitolina to secure the second spot in the championship match.

Both matches featured periods of tight resistance but ultimately saw the favourites impose their power and consistency at key moments. The results set up a highly anticipated final between two of the WTA Tour’s most dangerous hard-court players.

Sabalenka returns to the Indian Wells final for the second consecutive year after finishing runner-up in 2025. Rybakina, meanwhile, continues another strong run in Tennis Paradise, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most consistent performers at the WTA 1000 level. The Kazakh’s win also came in a match-up that entered the day evenly poised at 3–3 in their head-to-head.

Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the Indian Wells final with a controlled 6–3, 6–4 victory over Linda Noskova, maintaining steady pressure throughout the one-hour-and-28-minute contest.

The World No. 1 quickly established control in the opening set. After both players held their first service games, Sabalenka began to dominate on return, creating multiple break opportunities. She converted one of four break points to move ahead 3–1 and soon extended the advantage with another break to lead 5–1. Noskova briefly recovered one of the breaks, but Sabalenka closed the set with authority, finishing it with an ace.

Statistically, Sabalenka’s serve proved decisive. She struck 11 aces and won 75% of points behind her first serve, compared with Noskova’s 61%. The Belarusian also maintained a clear edge in return points, winning 39% against Noskova’s 25%.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Sabalenka broke early to move ahead 1–0 and then maintained the lead through a series of solid service games. Noskova showed resilience midway through the set, holding several tight games and briefly threatening a break when Sabalenka served at 5–3. The top seed saved a break point to maintain control.

Noskova held serve to stay alive at 5–4, but Sabalenka showed composure when serving for the match. The Belarusian closed out the victory confidently to book her place in the final, where she will face Elena Rybakina.

Elena Rybakina earned the second spot in the final with a 7–5, 6–4 win over Elina Svitolina in a match that remained closely contested for much of its duration.

The Ukrainian made the stronger start, breaking early to move ahead 2–0 as Rybakina initially struggled to find rhythm. However, the Kazakh responded immediately, breaking back in the following game and gradually settling into the match through a series of solid service holds.

The opening set remained evenly balanced until the final stages. With the score locked at 5–5, Rybakina raised her level at the critical moment, applying pressure on return and securing the decisive break. She then served out the set to take the lead.

Rybakina’s serve once again played a central role. She won 78% of points behind her first serve and saved seven of nine break points during the match. Although Svitolina remained competitive on return, she struggled to convert her opportunities, finishing with eight double faults compared to just one from Rybakina.

The second set appeared to be slipping away quickly for Svitolina when Rybakina surged ahead with a double break to lead 4–0. The Ukrainian mounted a late push to narrow the deficit, but the Kazakh remained composed in the closing games. Rybakina held serve confidently in the final stages to seal the 6–4 set and complete the straight-sets victory.

The result sends Rybakina into the Indian Wells final, where she will meet Sabalenka in a high-profile clash between two of the tour’s most powerful players. Both arrive in strong form after navigating difficult semi-finals.

The championship match now promises a compelling contest as Sabalenka and Rybakina battle for one of the most prestigious titles on the WTA calendar.