Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka plays against Czech tennis player Linda Nosková during the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, Friday, March 13, 2026. Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka are set for a rematch in the final of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open after winning their semifinals on Friday in Indian Wells, California.
Rybakina, this year’s third seed and 2023 champion, beat ninth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 7-5, 6-4 on Friday. Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed in 2026 and a finalist in 2023 and 2025, defeated 14th seed Linda Noskova (Czech Republic) 6-3, 6-4.
Sunday’s contest is also a rematch of the 2026 Australian Open final, which Rivakina won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Sabalenka has won eight of 15 contests, but Rybakina is riding a 12-game winning streak against top-10 opponents.
Sabalenka is ready to take her final steps at Indian Wells after finishing runner-up behind Rybakina three years ago and Russia’s Mira Andreeva last year.
“I’m so disappointed to lose this big final,” Sabalenka said. “Despite the players playing amazing tennis in the final, I felt like I had too many unused opportunities.
“My mentality right now… I’m going to go out there and do everything I can and everything I can’t do to get that trophy.”
Sabalenka said of Rybakina: “She’s an amazing player. Every match we’ve had against each other has always been a really tough battle. It’s always been a show and at a great level. … I’m really looking forward to it.”
Sabalenka finished the match with an 11-5 advantage on aces over Noskova, who had six double faults to the Belarusian’s two.
Sabalenka broke Noskova’s serve to start the second set after needing two service games to close out the first set. Both players served the rest of the way, with Sabalenka saving a break point to go up 5-3.
Rybankina and Svitolina had 11 and nine break opportunities respectively, but the most recent Grand Slam winner had four chances to the Ukraine’s two.
With the first set tied at 5-5, Rybakina defeated Svitolina by 15 points in the 11th game to take the lead. She raced out to a 5-1 second set advantage and was held back for a 5-3 lead, but needed just five points to put the match away.
–Field level media
