Sabalenka battled back from a set down to claim a 3–6, 6–3, 7–6 (8–6) victory over the Kazakh player in a dramatic encounter played under the scorching California sun. The match reached its climax in a tense final-set tie-break where Sabalenka saved a championship point with a powerful backhand winner before sealing the win with a service ace.
The victory not only delivered her first Indian Wells title but also served as redemption after her defeat to Rybakina in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year.
After securing the title, Sabalenka celebrated by dunking her head into an ice cooler courtside, later reflecting on what she called an unforgettable week.
“This week has been incredible,” she said. “Getting a puppy, getting engaged, and winning this trophy — I will remember it for the rest of my life. This is truly tennis paradise, and I’m so happy to finally win here.”
Redemption After Recent Final Losses
The triumph marked Sabalenka’s second title of the year and a significant breakthrough at Indian Wells, where she had previously fallen short in finals — losing to Rybakina in 2023 and to Mirra Andreeva in last year’s championship match.
Her rivalry with Rybakina has often proved difficult. Sabalenka had lost four of their previous five meetings in finals, and overall she had also struggled in title matches, having been defeated in six of her previous 10 finals appearances.
However, the world number one showed resilience after dropping the opening set — the first set she had lost in the entire tournament.
A Final Full of Momentum Swings
Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set, breaking her opponent twice while saving four break points to level the match.
She carried that momentum into the deciding set and secured an early break that seemed to put her in control when she later stepped up to serve for the match.
But Rybakina fought back to force the match into a tie-break, saving five break points in the process and pushing Sabalenka to the limit.
In the decisive moments, Sabalenka held her nerve to edge the tie-break and complete the comeback victory, ending her run of heartbreak at the prestigious tournament and reinforcing her position at the top of the women’s game.