Perfect Revenge: Rybakina Conquers Sabalenka to Win 2023 Indian Wells
WTA
Elena Rybakina got a perfect chance to get revenge against Aryna Sabalenka after she beat her this year in Melbourne.
Currently, Rybakina and Sabalenka are, without a doubt, two of the three players that are dominating the WTA Tour, so it's not a surprise that they met once again. This time, they were playing for a title at the 2023 Indian Wells.
In the previous rounds, Rybakina defeated the World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, while Sabalenka outplayed the likes of Maria Sakkari and it was obvious that both players were entering the final clash in top form.
Initially, Sabalenka got a one-break advantage, but Rybakina got a break back, and after she couldn't use her set point in the twelfth game, a tie-break had to decide.
When entering the tie-break, no one knew that fans would witness a real battle. Both players had their chances to end it as Rybakina had five set points while Sabalenka had two. Ultimately, it was Rybakina who won the set in the tie-break 13-11.
Rybakina was able to use the momentum in the second set. Sabalenka was visibly frustrated by the chances that she missed in the tie-break, and that didn't help her.
Rybakina won the first six points of the second set, and she swiftly secured a 2-0 lead. The Kazakhstani player then increased her advantage to 5-2 as she served for the match for the first time.
But Sabalenka kept fighting and won the following seven points, stopping Rybakina for a while. But ultimately, Rybakina served out the match, winning it 7-6(11), 6-4 to claim the 2023 Indian Wells Open title.
This win just proved how good Rybakina really is. She won Wimbledon in 2022 but didn't receive any points for it, and this year, she's second in the WTA Race, just behind Sabalenka.
