Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to face off in the Indian Wells final on Sunday, marking their third final encounter in just over four months.
Sabalenka eased past Czech player Linda Noskova with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Rybakina overcame Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 in California.
Sabalenka Ready for the Challenge
“It feels great,” Sabalenka said. “I’ve lost a couple of finals here, so I’ll make sure that I’m more than ready on Sunday.
“I’ll bring my best tennis and this is the year.”
This final will be Belarusian Sabalenka’s 14th WTA 1,000 final.
Rybakina Seeks Another Victory
Rybakina has won four of their five meetings in finals. This includes the WTA Finals in November and the Australian Open in January.
“I’m going to fight as much as I can. Hopefully it’s going to be a great match,” said Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final in 2023.
Sabalenka Calls for Video Review Changes
Sabalenka has voiced her opinion on the use of video reviews for hindrance, following Daniil Medvedev’s dispute with Jack Draper in the quarter-finals.
Draper was penalised with a controversial hindrance call, after which Medvedev was booed by some fans.
Sabalenka believes players should stop proceedings immediately and call for a video review for hindrance.
Sabalenka highlighted the awkwardness of concluding a point before requesting a review. “What I think is really awkward is you can finish the point and then ask for that,” she said.
“If you really got bothered, then you should stop immediately and ask for the video review.
“If he would have won the point, he wouldn’t probably ask for the video review, right? I don’t really think that’s the way it should be.
“He made the move, but I don’t think it bothered Daniil that much.”
Sabalenka has won 16 of her 17 matches this season.