Jannik Sinner, of Italy, center, holds the winner’s trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, proper, throughout a remaining match on the BNP Paribas Open tennis event, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Indian Wells, California
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev within the Indian Wells remaining 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), successful seven straight factors to rally from a 4-0 deficit within the second-set tiebreak and declare the title with out dropping a single set.
The No. 2-ranked Italian beat Medvedev for the ninth time of their final 10 matches to say his first title on the California desert event. Medvedev handed top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz his first lack of the 12 months within the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Sinner congratulated fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli, who won Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix earlier Sunday.
“It hasn’t something to do with tennis, nevertheless it has been a big day for Italy,” Sinner mentioned. “As a result of I am an enormous Method One fan and having a really, very younger Italian, Kimi, bringing Italy again dwelling on the prime, it is wonderful. So, thanks, Kimi, thanks Method One, and see you subsequent 12 months.”
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) within the girls’s remaining Sunday for her first Indian Wells title. Sabalenka, a runner-up in 2023 and ’25, completed off the win with a giant serve that Rybakina hit lengthy.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts at match level of the ladies’s remaining, defeating Elena Rybakina
| Photograph Credit score:
through Reuters
It was a sweltering afternoon on the courtroom because the temperatures soared into the 90s. The 27-year-old Sabalenka had an opportunity to shut out the third set however was damaged at 5-4. Rybakina discovered herself with a championship level within the tiebreaker, solely to have Sabalenka hit a backhand winner.
“I believe the entire thought going into this match was to be mentally robust, to remain robust, it doesn’t matter what, to point out with the physique language that I am right here, I am preventing,” Sabalenka mentioned in a post-match interview on the Tennis Channel. “It’s a must to get a win with unbelievable tennis and that was the entire thought going into this one. I am blissful that it actually labored.”
It has been fairly a stretch for Sabalenka. First, a pet after which an engagement ring from Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis.
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, celebrates behind the winner’s trophy after defeating Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan
| Photograph Credit score:
AP
Now, a title within the desert.
“I will bear in mind it for the remainder of my life,” she mentioned.
This marked the sixteenth time the 2 gamers have met, with Sabalenka now holding a 9-7 benefit. Rybakina of Kazakhstan beat Sabalenka on the 2025 WTA Finals championship and the Australian Open two months in the past. She additionally edged Sabalenka within the finals at Indian Wells in 2023.
“It was a really tough match,” Rybakina mentioned after the match as she congratulated Sabalenka.
There’s not a lot time to have a good time for Sabalenka, who was set to depart Sunday evening for the Miami Open, the place she’s the defending champion.
“In all probability could have a pair drinks on the airplane and that is it,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“I am defending champion there, so I’ve to convey my greatest tennis there. However with these vibes that I am taking from right here, I believe I will be capable of be there and to combat and to do my best to defend that stunning trophy.”
Printed – March 16, 2026 10:37 am IST
