Sabalenka battles to Indian Wells title

· BBC Sport
Aryna Sabalenka has won 23 WTA Tour titlesGetty Images

ByBobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist
Published

Getting a puppy, getting engaged, saving championship point and winning a long-awaited Indian Wells title – it has been a week world number one Aryna Sabalenka will remember "for the rest of my life".

In the latest chapter of what has already developed into an extraordinary rivalry, Sabalenka put the ghosts of January's Australian Open final defeat against Elena Rybakina to bed with a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (8-6) victory over the Kazakh.

The players pushed each other to the limit under the blazing sun in California until Sabalenka edged the tie-break, including saving championship point with a thumping backhand winner.

After securing victory with a service winner, Sabalenka celebrated by dunking her head in an ice cooler.

"What a week. Getting a puppy, getting engaged and winning a title - I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life," Belarusian Sabalenka said.

"This is truly tennis paradise and I'm always happy to come here. Thank God I finally got this trophy.

"This is everything, this is the dream."

Sabalenka opted to take some time away from competitive action after suffering Grand Slam heartbreak at the start of the year, and that decision appears to have paid off.

She has put in some dominant performances across the past two weeks and stood up to serious pressure against an opponent she tends to struggle against.

The 27-year-old had lost four of her previous five meetings with Rybakina in finals but dug deep to land her second trophy of the year.

It is not just against Rybakina that Sabalenka has struggled, though, with six of her previous 10 finals appearances ending in defeat.

Sabalenka's last two appearances in finals at Indian Wells also ended in defeat - losing to Rybakina in 2023 and Mirra Andreeva last year.

After losing the opening set - the first she had dropped all tournament - Sabalenka could be excused for thinking she was destined for another defeat, but the four-time Grand Slam singles champion showed incredible character to force her way back in proceedings.

Sabalenka has been known for letting her frustration get in the way, but she channelled any frustrations in a positive manner to break twice in succession and save four break points before wrapping up the second set.

That momentum continued into the decider and an early break appeared to be enough for Sabalenka when she had the chance to serve for the match.

However, Rybakina struck back and then went on to save five break points of her own.

In a match full of twists, the conclusion lived up to the billing, with Sabalenka holding firm in a superb tie-break to come out on top.

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