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Sabalenka Wins First Indian Wells Title, Besting Rybakina
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka claims her first BNP Paribas Open championship after previous runner-up finishes.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:19pm
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has won her first BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) title, defeating Elena Rybakina in three sets. This marks Sabalenka's 23rd career WTA singles title, including wins at the Australian and US Opens. The victory holds extra meaning for Sabalenka, as Rybakina had previously beaten her in the 2023 and 2025 Indian Wells finals, as well as the 2025 WTA Finals and this year's Australian Open.
Why it matters
Sabalenka's Indian Wells title is a significant milestone in her career, as she has long sought to win this prestigious tournament. Her ability to avenge previous losses to Rybakina demonstrates her mental toughness and continued growth as a player. This victory also sets Sabalenka up well as she heads to the Miami Open, where she is the defending champion.
The details
Sabalenka won the final 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 after dropping the first set. She said the key was to stay mentally strong and fight no matter what, showing with her body language that she was there to win. Sabalenka is now a 23-time WTA singles champion, further cementing her status as one of the top players in the world.
- Sabalenka won the 2026 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) title on March 16, 2026.
- Sabalenka is set to defend her Miami Open title starting on March 20, 2026.
The players
Aryna Sabalenka
The world No. 1 women's tennis player, who has won 23 career WTA singles titles, including the Australian and US Opens.
Elena Rybakina
A top-10 women's tennis player who has defeated Sabalenka in several previous meetings, including the 2023 and 2025 Indian Wells finals.
What they’re saying
“I think the whole idea going into this match was to be mentally strong, to stay strong, no matter what, to show with the body language that I'm here, I'm fighting.”
— Aryna Sabalenka
“Probably will have a couple drinks on the plane and that's it. I'm defending champion there, so I have to bring my best tennis there. But with these vibes that I'm taking from here, I think I'll be able to be there and to fight and to do my very best to defend that beautiful trophy.”
— Aryna Sabalenka
What’s next
Sabalenka will head to the Miami Open, which starts on March 20, 2026, to defend her title there.
The takeaway
Sabalenka's first Indian Wells title is a significant career milestone, as she has long sought to win this prestigious tournament. Her ability to avenge previous losses to Rybakina demonstrates her mental toughness and continued growth as a player. This victory sets Sabalenka up well as she heads to the Miami Open, where she will look to defend her title and further cement her status as one of the top players in women's tennis.
