Both Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz are back into the semi-finals of their respective tournaments at Indian Wells.
Sabalenka had struggled for form since losing in the Australian Open final to Madison Keys.
However, after returning to action at Indian Wells, Sabalenka has managed to refind the tennis that has gotten her to the top of the WTA rankings.
While a lot of that is down to her own perseverance, Sabalenka has admitted that she also took inspiration from Alcaraz to help her progress to the Indian Wells semi-finals.
Aryna Sabalenka says how Carlos Alcaraz helped her at Indian Wells
Sabalenka beat Samsonova, 6-2 6-3, to reach the semi-finals of Indian Wells for the second time in her career.
The Belarusian spoke to on-court interviewer Andrew Krasny after the match and explained how she took inspiration from two-time Indian Wells champion Alcaraz.
“Honestly, I think watching Alcaraz play has been helping me a lot,” said Sabalenka. “Just in this point I was like ‘Come on Alcaraz would get it and he would make a winner’, and I was like ‘Run there you can do it’.
“So I did it and I was like okay, I have to watch his matches probably more often so I start moving like him.”
Alcaraz followed Sabalenka on Stadium 1 Court to win his quarter-final against Francisco Cerundolo.
Next up for the Spaniard is British number one Jack Draper, while Sabalenka has an Australian Open final rematch with Keys.
Aryna Sabalenka seeks revenge against Madison Keys at Indian Wells
Sabalenka was very frustrated after losing the Australian Open final defeat to Keys, with some criticizing the world number one for her actions.
Having moved on from the disappointment of losing that final, Sabalenka revealed in her Indian Wells press conference that she is relishing the opportunity to play Keys again.
“It’s only coming to my mind as motivation to get back that revenge,” Sabalenka said about the Australian Open final. “It was tough match. She played great there. I didn’t play my best, and I’m really happy that tomorrow I will have opportunity to get this revenge back.”
Although Keys beating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final is their most famous meeting, it is actually the Belarusian who leads the head-to-head 4-2.
They have also met at the US Open, where Sabalenka left Keys heartbroken after coming from a set down in 2023.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2018 | Cincinnati Open (QF) | Sabalenka beat Keys, 6-3 6-4 |
| 2021 | Berlin Open (R16) | Keys beat Sabalenka, 6-4 1-6 7-5 |
| 2023 | Wimbledon (QF) | Sabalenka beat Keys, 6-2 6-4 |
| 2023 | US Open (SF) | Sabalenka beat Keys, 0-6 7-6(1) 7-6(5) |
| 2024 | China Open (R16) | Sabalenka beat Keys, 6-4 6-3 |
| 2025 | Australian Open (F) | Keys beat Sabalenka, 6-3 2-6 7-5 |
Their head-to-head will step into its next chapter at Indian Wells, as Sabalenka looks to bring an end to Keys’ winning run.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
