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Sabalenka Praises Svitolina's Comeback Before Indian Wells Final Rematch with Rybakina
World No. 1 Sabalenka set to face off against Rybakina in a highly anticipated title clash at Indian Wells.
Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:51pm
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face off against Elena Rybakina in the Indian Wells final, a rematch of their previous meetings at the 2026 Australian Open and 2023 Indian Wells. Sabalenka reached the final after a dominant run through the tournament, while Rybakina secured her spot with a victory over Elina Svitolina. Ahead of the final, Sabalenka took time to praise Svitolina's impressive return to elite tennis following her pregnancy, calling it "inspiring and so cool to see."
Why it matters
The presence of Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Svitolina in the later stages of the tournament highlights the growing depth of talent in women's tennis. Players like Svitolina are demonstrating remarkable resilience and skill upon their return to the tour, raising the overall competitive level. The Sabalenka-Rybakina rivalry has also become one of the most compelling in the sport, with their past matches being "tough battles" and a "show" of high-level tennis.
The details
Sabalenka reached the final after defeating Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4, continuing a strong run through the tournament without dropping a set. Her path included wins over Himeno Sakatsume, Jaqueline Cristian, and Naomi Osaka. Rybakina secured her spot in the final with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Elina Svitolina. This sets up a rematch between Sabalenka and Rybakina, who have previously faced off in the 2023 Indian Wells final and the 2026 Australian Open final, with Rybakina holding the edge in their head-to-head record.
- Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final.
- Rybakina defeated Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 to secure her spot in the final.
The players
Aryna Sabalenka
The current World No. 1 and a dominant force on the WTA Tour, known for her powerful game and consistent performances in major tournaments.
Elena Rybakina
A rising star on the WTA Tour, Rybakina has already won multiple Grand Slam titles and is one of the most formidable players in the women's game.
Elina Svitolina
A former top-5 player who has made a remarkable comeback to elite tennis after taking a break for pregnancy, showcasing her resilience and skill.
What they’re saying
“To see the level she was able to bring on-court after pregnancy, that's so inspiring and so cool to see.”
— Aryna Sabalenka
The takeaway
The Indian Wells final between Sabalenka and Rybakina promises to be a thrilling clash between two of the top players in women's tennis, showcasing the increasing depth and competitiveness at the highest level of the sport. Svitolina's impressive return to form after pregnancy also highlights the resilience and determination of elite athletes.
