Cautious Sabalenka keeping her guard up

Aryna Sabalenka will proceed with caution after reaching the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters on Thursday as she won a battle of tennis generations over teenaged Victoria Mboko.

The world No. 1 defeated the fast-rising Canadian now ranked 10th with a 7-6 (0), 6-4 scoreline to advance at the Tennis Garden,

Sabalenka is keeping her guard up after converting on only one of eight break points but managing to win the nearly two-hour encounter.

“The the moment I will feel relaxed, I will definitely start losing,” she said . “That’s why I have been really successful in those tiebreaks,”I take it really serious; I’m not focusing on the past. I’m just trying to take it once again one point at a time.”

Two-time finalist Sablenka moved into her third semi here as she defeated Mboko for the second time this season after the Australian Open.

The winner has become a marvel at tiebreakers. compiling a 22-3 record last season and winning all four she’s played so far in 2026.

“I’m aggressive. I’m not thinking about this is a tiebreak. I’m just focusing on my game, and I think that’s been really the key.”

Mboko turned in a fighting performance with nine aces and eight double-faults as she went for her serves, drawing praise from the 27-year-old winner.

“All of those young kids on tour right now, they all have a huge potential to be Grand Slam champions,” Sabalenka said.

“I just see how aggressive (Mboko) is, how passionate she is, how much she’s fighting on court and never giving up.”