By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka roared into her third Indian Wells WTA 1000 final on Friday, overpowering 14th-ranked Czech Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4.
On Sunday, she’ll face Elena Rybakina, who defeated Elina Svitolina in the semifinals, in a rematch of 2026 Australian Open and 2023 Indian Wells finals.
“It feels great,” she 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.”
World number three Rybakina has won four of their five meetings in finals, most recently at 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 Kazakhstani Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final in 2023.
Sunday’s final will mark Sabalenka’s 43rd at the tour-level, and she’s now reached three consecutive finals at the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami), joining Monica Seles and Steffi Graf.