The match came just before the new rankings update, which will see Rybakina officially climb to No. 2 in the rankings of the Women’s Tennis Association. The two players had previously faced each other 15 times, with Sabalenka holding a slight edge.
Often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam,” the Indian Wells tournament has special significance for Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenka in the final here three years ago to claim her first title at the event.
Rybakina started strongly this time as well. After breaking serve at 3–2 in the opening set, the Kazakhstani player maintained her advantage to take the set 6–3.
The second set began with exchanged breaks, but Sabalenka soon seized control and closed it out 6–3 to level the match.
The deciding set proved dramatic. At 1–1, Rybakina led 40–0 on her serve but lost the game, allowing Sabalenka to move ahead 3–1. Rybakina later fought back to level the score at 5–5 when her opponent served for the match. However, Sabalenka held her nerve in the tiebreak to secure a 7–6 (8–6) victory.
The intense final lasted two hours and 31 minutes. Rybakina fired 12 aces but converted only three of nine break points, while Sabalenka recorded 10 aces and three successful breaks.
Despite the defeat, Rybakina delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, falling only in the final under challenging conditions as players battled temperatures of around 35°C.
