Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to clash for the second time this season in the 2026 Indian Wells Open final.
A month and a half after their bout in the Australian Open championship match, the two stars are set to do battle again in Tennis Paradise.
Rybakina came out on top against Sabalenka in the final at Melbourne Park, beating her in three sets to claim a second Grand Slam title.
Who will be ranked higher by the end of 2026 – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
The Belarusian has the lead in the head-to-head, however, having won eight of their 15 meetings on the WTA Tour.
Ahead of their 16th career duel in Indian Wells, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rick Macci, previewed the matchup.
Rick Macci previews the 2026 women’s Indian Wells Open final
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Macci said: “Rybakina and Sabalenka is always about the rockets, not the jab.
“If Elena serves hits her spots, then she has a real shot. Sabalenka on the first serve return does not cover the wide that well, and then Elena gets more BIG C under the hood.
Aryna Sabalenka will NOT end the year as world number one – prove us wrong!
“Always a close battle, but Sabalenka can win if she stays calm.”
Rybakina has beaten Sabalenka in their last two meetings, having also triumphed against her in the final of the 2025 WTA Finals.
Elena Rybakina’s route to the 2026 Indian Wells Open final
Rybakina, seeded third at the Indian Wells Open, has dropped just one set en route to the final in California.
That conceded set came in her first match of the tournament against Hailey Baptiste, which she came through 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
Rybakina then defeated Marta Kostyuk before advancing past Britain’s Sonay Kartal via a walkover.
In the quarterfinals, Rybakina overcame home hope Jessica Pegula to set up a final four meeting with Elina Svitolina, whom she conquered in straight sets.
Rybakina is bidding to claim the 13th title of her career in the final, and her second of the season.
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