California: World number one Aryna Sabalenka finally conquered her Indian Wells challenges, defeating Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a thrilling final to claim the desert title for the first time and secure her 23rd career crown.
The win was sweet redemption for Sabalenka, who had lost her previous two Indian Wells finals, including a defeat to Rybakina in 2023, and had begun the year with another loss to the Kazakh in the Australian Open final in January.
Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, dominated the opening stages of the first set, breaking Sabalenka to take a 4-2 lead and capitalizing on the Belarusian’s backhand to close out the set 6-3. This marked the first set Sabalenka dropped in the tournament.
Puppy, ring, title. Aryna wins 🐶💍🏆#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/WlTMQOwEbO
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 16, 2026
Match highlights
The second set started no more easily for Sabalenka, who let out an audible yell after being broken in the opening game. The four-time Belarusian Grand Slam champion quickly regrouped, leveling at 1-1 with a love hold, and gradually turned the momentum.
A second break in the fourth game gave her a commanding 4-1 lead. Despite Rybakina’s efforts to fight back, Sabalenka’s intensity proved decisive as she secured the set, delivering four aces while committing nine unforced errors compared with Rybakina’s thirteen.
The final set was a tense battle. Sabalenka broke early to lead 3-1, but Rybakina clawed back to level at 5-5 and even took the lead for the first time in the set. Sabalenka immediately responded to force a tiebreak. With the score tied at 6-6, Sabalenka eventually edged ahead to win the tiebreak 8-6, sealing the championship.
“I want to congratulate Elena. I know we’ll face each other many more times. Thanks to everyone who made this tournament possible. It is truly a tennis paradise. I’m always happy to come here every year and thank God I got this trophy,” Sabalenka said during the trophy presentation.
The win capped an extraordinary week for the 27-year-old, who had recently gotten engaged to her Brazilian fiancée, Georgios Frangulis, and had also welcomed a puppy. “This is a dream come true. I want to thank my team for always being there, and my fiancée – what a week! Getting a puppy, getting engaged, and winning a title. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” Sabalenka added.
With their rivalry set to define the women’s game for years to come, Sabalenka now holds a 9-7 head-to-head lead over Rybakina. Both players remain close in rankings, and Rybakina’s run to the final is expected to elevate her to world number two next week.
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