INDIAN WELLS: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina moved into the Indian Wells final with straight-sets victories over Linda Noskova and Elina Svitolina, respectively, on Friday, setting up a rematch of their Australian Open Grand Slam title clash.

World number one Sabalenka has been in formidable form this season, winning 16 of her first 17 matches, with her only defeat coming against Rybakina in the Melbourne showpiece in January.

She powered past Noskova 6-3, 6-4 and will compete for the Indian Wells crown for the third time in four years, seeking her maiden title in the Californian desert.

“It feels great, 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,” Sabalenka said.

Twice Grand Slam champion Rybakina overcame a stiff test to see off Ukraine’s Svitolina 7-5, 6-4, staying on track to claim a second title in the event.

Sunday’s title match will mark the third final between Rybakina and Sabalenka in the last six months. Kazakh Rybakina has won their previous two encounters, lifting the WTA Finals trophy in November and securing the Australian Open title.

“I’m going to fight as much as I can,” Rybakina said. “Hopefully it’s going to be a great match.”

Sabalenka seized early control, breaking for a 3-1 lead after a Noskova forehand sailed long, and then the Czech’s inconsistent serving — including a double fault — handed the Belarusian another break for 5-1.

Noskova briefly halted the momentum by breaking back when Sabalenka served for the set, only the second time that the top seed had dropped her serve during the event.

Sabalenka quickly regrouped when she served again at 5-3, sealing the opener with an ace, while Noskova won just half of the points behind her own serve.

A break in the opening game of the second set proved enough for Sabalenka to seal the win over Noskova, who had just one chance to break back but could not convert the opportunity.

“Serve was the biggest thing in this match,” Sabalenka added. “(Noskova) is an incredible player, I felt that if I give her a small opportunity she will take it.”

It will be the 14th WTA 1000 final of Sabalenka’s career.

Rybakina struggled early in her semi as Svitolina fired four aces in the opening set. But unforced errors from the Ukrainian opened the door for Rybakina, who seized control with her serve.

Rybakina surged ahead 4-0 in the second set, and though Svitolina attempted to claw her way back Rybakina steadied herself to protect the lead and finish the job.

Rybakina had positive results in the recent meetings against Sab­alenka but still she trails the Belarusian 8-7 in their career head-to-head.

“We played so many times, and I think it all depends on close moments, which we usually have — whoever steps in, plays more aggressive, more solid,” Rybakina said. “It’s going to be a difficult match.

“We’re both going to try to serve well, that’s for sure, put pressure… we will see what’s going to happen.”

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2026