Indian Wells: Aryna Sabalenka reaches finals for the third time in 4 years, will face Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time runner-up at Indian Wells, will get one other shot at successful the occasion after beating Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 within the semifinals on Friday (March 13, 2026).

The highest-ranked Sabalenka, from Belarus, dispatched Noskova in 1 hour, 28 minutes on Stadium Court docket 1 on the BNP Paribas Open.

She is going to face third-ranked Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan within the ultimate Sunday. Rybakina dealt with ninth-ranked Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 7-5, 6-4 within the different semifinal.

Sabalenka’s solely loss in 2026 got here towards Rybakina within the Australian Open ultimate. Sabalenka absolutely will probably be trying to avenge that one in addition to her 0-2 document in Indian Wells finales.

“I’ll make it possible for I’m greater than prepared on Sunday, and I’ll deliver my greatest tennis, make it possible for that is the yr,” Sabalenka stated.

Sabalenka improved to 12-1 in 2026 along with her victory Friday, which got here after she reached the semifinals for the sixth consecutive WTA Tour occasion. Her final loss earlier than that spherical got here towards Rybakina within the Cincinnati quarterfinals final August.

Sabalenka related on 38 of 58 first serves towards the 14th-seeded Noskova and notched 11 aces to succeed in the finale for the third time in 4 years.

“I’d say that, yeah, serve was the most important factor on this match,” she stated. “I used to be attempting to remain centered on my serve and attempt to put as a lot as strain as I might on her serve. And, fortunate me, I obtained this win.”

Sabalenka has received 8 of 15 conferences towards Rybakina, with two of these losses coming of their final two matchups. Rybakina received 78% % of her first serves towards Svitolina, who double faulted eight instances of their semifinal.