INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in Sunday’s Indian Wells remaining to win her first California Desert Championship title.
Sabalenka, who was runner-up in 2023 and 2025, received the BNP Paribas Open with a giant serve from Rybakina. It was a sweltering afternoon on the courtroom, with temperatures within the 90s.
Sabalenka, 27, had an opportunity to close out the third set however was damaged at 5-4. Rybakina took the championship level within the tiebreaker, however was hit with a backhand winner by Sabalenka.
That is the sixteenth time the 2 fighters have met, with Sabalenka holding a 9-7 benefit. Kazakhstan’s Rybakina received the 2025 WTA Finals and defeated Sabalenka on the Australian Open two months in the past. She additionally defeated Sabalenka within the remaining at Indian Wells in 2023.
“What a day,” Sabalenka stated after the match.
