Tennis · International
Sabalenka saves championship point to win first Indian Wells title
The world number one defeated Rybakina in a deciding-set tiebreak.
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Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(6) to win her first Indian Wells title. The world number one saved a championship point in the deciding tiebreak, ending a run of four consecutive finals defeats against the Kazakh player.
Rybakina led by a set and an early break before Sabalenka recovered. In the third set, Rybakina broke back at the last opportunity for 5–5 and survived five break points during a service game lasting more than twelve minutes.
Sabalenka then forced the tiebreak and struck a backhand winner to save championship point at 5–6. Winning its final three points delivered her twenty-third WTA singles title and tenth WTA 1000 championship, following previous Indian Wells final defeats in 2023 and 2025.
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