Rybakina, Indian Wells champion taking revenge on Sabalenka

the kazakh Elena Rybakina He got his revenge this Sunday in Belarusian Aryna Sabalenkawho defeated her in the final of the last Australian Open, by winning the duel for the title of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

Rybakina, champion of the last edition of Wimbledon and world number 10, defeated Sabalenka, who is in the second position in the ranking, 7-6(11) and 6-4 in two hours and three minutes.

Born in Moscow, Rybakina thus winning her first final of a WTA 1000 and also losing for the first time a Sabalenka having scored in all four meetings between them so far.

His time at the Californian desert tournament, which was the first Masters 1000 of the season, was impeccable as in the semifinals he defeated the world number one, the Polish. Iga Swiatekfor double 6-2.

For her part, Sabalenka, who has won all four of her Masters 1000 finals so far and lost just one match in 18 games this year, had a very difficult afternoon at the worst possible time.

Up to 10 double faults added up to a frustrating first set for the Belarusian. However, the first sleeve was a balanced battle and shivers for both from then on Rybakina he squandered five set points before sealing the set on the sixth down after one hour and 18 minutes.

Sabalenka also had two set points but was unable to reach them.

The Belarusian appeared to be on the verge of breaking completely when she surrendered her first turn to serve out the second set in loveless play.

Sabalenka kept pushing until the end despite showing obvious signs of incompetence and Rybakina kept a cool head to seal her great victory.

This is her fourth WTA title, at the age of 21, the first since she became the queen of Wimbledon in 2022.

Next stop, from Tuesday, the Miami WTA 1000.