Sabalenka edges Rybakina to claim long-awaited Indian Wells title / Photo: CLIVE BRUNSKILL - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Sabalenka edges Rybakina to claim long-awaited Indian Wells title
Aryna Sabalenka saved a match point on the way to a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Elena Rybakina on Sunday to claim a long-awaited first Indian Wells title.
Sabalenka ended a frustrating run of finals futility against Rybakina, who had won their last four title clashes starting with a triumph at Indian Wells in 2023 and including a nail-biting loss at the Australia Open in January.
Sabalenka rallied from a break down in the second set and fought off a match point trailing 5-6 in the tiebreaker before finally gaining the longed-for title -- and a healthy measure of revenge.
"Thanks God I got this trophy," said Sabalenka, who lost to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva in last year's final.
She had appeared on her way with a break for 2-1 in the third set. But Rybakina piled on the return pressure to break back for 5-5 and fought off five break points in the next game.
Deflated but determined, Sabalenka held at love to force the tiebreaker, saving match point with a stunning backhand winner and winning the next two points.
A.Thys--JdB
