SABALENKA SAVES MATCH POINT TO WIN FIRST INDIAN WELLS TITLE.

Aryna Sabalenka saved a match point before defeating Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-
6(6) on Sunday to claim her first Indian Wells title.
The Belarusian ended a frustrating run against Rybakina in the finals, having lost their
previous four title meetings, including the 2023 Indian Wells final and the Australian
Open clash earlier this year.
Sabalenka fought back strongly after dropping the opening set and held her nerve in
a tense deciding tiebreak, saving match point at 5-6 before sealing victory.
“Thanks God I got this trophy,” Sabalenka said after finally lifting the title.
“It was a hell of a battle. I’m super-happy with the last three points of the match that I
was able to pull out such great tennis.”
Sabalenka said her focus was on staying mentally strong throughout the contest.
“The whole idea going into this match was to be mentally strong, to stay strong no
matter what… no matter what’s going on right now in the match, I’ll still be fighting,”
she added.
The victory gives Sabalenka a measure of revenge and sends her into the Miami
Open, aiming to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’, while Rybakina will rise to world
number two.