World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina in Indian Wells to win maiden title

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the Indian Wells final on Sunday to claim her first title at the California Desert Championship.

Sabalenka, the runner-up in 2023 and 25, won the BNP Paribas Open on Rybakina’s long serve. It was a sweltering afternoon, with temperatures on the field soaring into the 90s.

The 27-year-old Sabalenka had a chance to end the third set, but was broken at 5-4. Rybakina had a championship point in the decider, but Sabalenka hit a backhand winner.

This is the 16th time the two have met, and Sabalenka currently leads 9-7. Two months ago, Kazakhstan’s Rybakina defeated Sabalenka at the 2025 WTA Finals and Australian Open. She also defeated Sabalenka in the 2023 Indian Wells final.

“What a great day,” Sabalenka said afterward.

In the men’s final later on Sunday, Daniil Medvedev will face Janik Sinner, who has won eight of his last nine games against Medvedev.