Aryna Sabalenka finally conquers Indian Wells with thrilling comeback win over Elena Rybakina
This victory marked Aryna Sabalenka's 23rd WTA singles title and her 20th on hard court.
Aryna Sabalenka has ended her Indian Wells heartbreak, claiming her maiden BNP Paribas Open title with a dramatic 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) win over Elena Rybakina in the 2026 women's final. The World No. 1 saved a championship point in a nail-biting tiebreak to secure her first trophy in the California desert after runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2025.
This victory marks Sabalenka's 23rd WTA title and her second of the year, following her triumph in Brisbane in January. It also avenges her previous losses to Rybakina in high-stakes finals, snapping a four-match losing streak against the Kazakh star that included defeats at the 2025 WTA Finals and the 2026 Australian Open.
Overcoming adversity and a fierce rival
Aryna Sabalenka trailed early, dropping the first set and facing a break in the second. Frustrations from past encounters surfaced, but she regrouped swiftly, breaking back immediately to claim the second set and force a decisive third. Down a set and a break, the Belarusian showed resilience, especially in the third set's intense moments.
The decider delivered high drama. Rybakina, the incoming World No. 2, broke serve at 5-4 to level at 5-5 in what felt like a now-or-never opportunity. She then held after saving five break points in a grueling 12-minute game to lead 6-5. Sabalenka stayed composed, forcing the tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, Rybakina reached championship point at 6-5, but Sabalenka fired a signature cross-court backhand winner to stay alive. She clinched the next two points to seal the win, turning the tide in a match that showcased both players' power and mental strength.
Aryna Sabalenka's path to maiden win at the Indian Wells
First round: Bye
Second round: defeated Himeno Sakatsume 6-4, 6-2
Third round: defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-1
Fourth round: defeated Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4
Quarterfinals: defeated Victoria Mboko 7-6 (0), 6-4
Semifinals: defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4
Final: defeated Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6)
A memorable chapter in a stellar run
Aryna Sabalenka's triumph caps a remarkable two weeks in Indian Wells. Beyond the court, she welcomed a new puppy named Ash and got engaged to longtime boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, adding personal joy to her professional success. The title boosts her hard-court credentials, marking her 20th on the surface, and improves her tour-level finals record to 23-20.
This breakthrough against one of her toughest opponents highlights Sabalenka's growth. After her semifinal win over Linda Noskova, she admitted feeling frustrated with big-final losses, saying she was “so done” with them. Now, she has rewritten that narrative.
Looking ahead
With the win, Aryna Sabalenka heads to Miami as the defending champion, carrying momentum into the next WTA 1000 event.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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