Aryna Sabalenka Shares How She Overcame Set Deficit to Beat Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka finally tasted success at Indian Wells. On Sunday (March 15), she came from a set down to take her revenge on Elena Rybakina with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) scoreline.

It was the first time the Belarusian dropped a set in the tournament. At the press conference after improving her head-to-head record to 9-7, Sabalenka shared what changes she made to her game after she lost the first set.

The idea was to have plans A, B, C, D, E, and so on. Today, plans A, B, and C definitely didn’t work, so I had to run and return as many balls as possible. Then, when I felt more confident, I went back to my usual game, which is an aggressive and dominant one. So I guess I’m super, super happy to have been able to get this far and to have so many tools in my game, so that whatever happens in the match, I’m still able to find the little details that will help me win.

Sabalenka has tied her head-to-head record over Rybakina in the Indian Wells finals to 1-1, having lost their meeting in 2023. The World No.1 was playing her third title clash at Indian Wells, as last year, she was denied the victory in the final by Mirra Andreeva.

Aryna Sabalenka hopes to win all her matches against Elena Rybakina

Rybakina is one of the players who has consistently upset Sabalenka in big events. It was Rybakina who stopped the four-time Grand Slam singles champion from winning last year’s WTA Finals, and it was Rybakina who denied Sabalenka her third title at the Australian Open this year with a three-set victory. At the press conference after their latest match, Sabalenka said most of her defeats to Rybakina have been “painful”.

But I still enjoy it because it means the final is going to be a real spectacle, it’s going to be great tennis, a high level of play, and it’s going to be a battle, which is great for the fans and also helps me become a better player. I really enjoy our rivalry. So, yes, I like her as a person, as a player, and I enjoy these battles. But I really hope to win them all from now on.

Sabalenka does not have much time to relax and celebrate her win because the second leg of the Sunshine Doubles, that is, the Miami Open, is set to start on March 17. The 27-year-old will be entering Miami as the defending champion. Last year, she defeated Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka has so far added 10 WTA titles to her name.

The Indian Wells was her second title of the season. She defended her Brisbane International by beating Marta Kostyuk. The draw for the Miami Open is out. Sabalenka will lock horns with Ann Li or a qualifier in the second round. Rybakina will kick off her campaign against Janice Tjen or Yulia Putintseva.

Elena Rybakina reaches career-best ranking

While Sabalenka will continue to dominate at the top of the rankings table with 11025 points, Rybakina has admitted that becoming the World No.1 player is one of her main goals this season, and has climbed one place up to occupy the second spot by removing Iga Swiatek.

The six-time Grand Slam champion, who last won a title at the 2025 Korea Open, lost three tournaments without reaching the semifinals. Rybakina knocked her out in the Australian Open quarterfinals, and later, Maria Sakkari beat her in the same stage at the Qatar Open. She then withdrew from the Dubai Tennis Championships and lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells.

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Draws the Ultimate Comparison Between Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the Big 3

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