Sabalenka and Osaka advance to an Indian Wells fourth-round meeting

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6–4, 6–1 in seventy-one minutes to reach the Indian Wells fourth round. The world number one saved five of six break points and earned her twenty-third consecutive victory over an opponent ranked outside the top twenty.

Cristian broke as Sabalenka served for the opening set at 5–3, but the top seed responded immediately and then controlled the second. Her next opponent became Naomi Osaka, who defeated Camila Osorio 6–1, 3–6, 6–1 later in the day.

Osaka reversed a defeat to the Colombian at the previous edition, beginning the decider with three straight games. The victories arranged only the second professional meeting between Osaka and Sabalenka, following their 2018 US Open contest, despite both holding four Grand Slam singles championships.