Sabalenka, Rybakina to re-run AO final at IW

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina overwhelmed opponents in straight sets to line up a repeat of the Australian Open final at the Indian Wells Masters.

Top seed Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 while Melbourne champion Rybakina beat Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4.

Due to performances this week, Rybakina will displace Iga Swiatek on second in the world on Monday, trailing WTA No. 1 Sabalenka.

Sabalenka will dream of finally coming good in the Californian desert after losing her two previous finals here in 2023 and a year ago to Mirra Andreeva.

She has won 16 of her first 17 matches in 2026, her only loss suffered at the hands of Rybakina in the AO title match.

“Feels great, I’ve lost a couple of finals here, ‌so I’ll ‌make sure ⁠that I’m more than ready on Sunday,” she said.  “I’ll bring my best tennis and this is the year.” .

The top seed won the opening set against Noskova with a double break, though she had to battle as she dropped serve while trying to finish off the set.

Sabalenka advanced after a smooth ride in the second set against her 21-year-old Czech opponent, moving to the 14th Masters-level ⁠final of her career.

“I just want to focus, if I make it to a final, I want to make sure that I get the trophy.

“I’m so done of losing these big finals; I felt I had so many opportunities that I didn’t use.

“I’ll go out there and do everything I can and everything I cannot to get that trophy.”

Rybakina will provide Sabalenka with another huge test after defeating her12th consecutive top 10 opponent in Svitolina.

 Sabalenka trails in their series 7-8 after losing their last two meetings.

“We know each other’s games very well,” Rybakina said. “We both are going to try to serve well, that’s for sure, put pressure, and…we will see what’s going to happen.”

The Kazakh won the IW title – over Sabalenka – in 2023 and is keen for a repeat.

Rybakina came from a break down in the opening set against Svitolina of Ukraine but immediately broke back and then added another to take the opener.

In the second Rybakina sprinted to 5-1 on the way to booking her finals spot.

“Not maybe my best performance, but I’m super happy to win this match and be in the final again,” the winner said.

“We’ve (Sabalenka) have played so many times, it all depends in the lose moments… whoever steps in, plays more aggressive, more solid.

“It’s gonna be a very difficult match.”