Sabalenka, Sinner Capture First Indian Wells Titles
Sabalenka outlasts Rybakina to win her first BNP Paribas Open crown
Third time is the charm for Aryna Sabalenka, as the world number one won her first title in Indian Wells in her third finals appearance.
Sabalenka came back from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) on Sunday, avenging her defeat to Rybakina in the Australian Open final earlier this year, as well as the 2023 final in Indian Wells.
“I guess it all comes with experience,” said Sabalebka, who saved a championship point in the deciding tiebreak. “With so many finals that I have lost, they also teach me a lot of things that basically the game is never done until it’s done. So if it’s a match point, you still have a chance to get back into the game. It’s something I learned to be mentally strong no matter what. And even though I lost so many big ones and so many painful ones, I would say, I’m still able to go out there even when things are not going well, I’m able to stay focused and I’m able to just fight for it.”
The loss was the first for Rybakina in 2026, but she still does move ahead of Iga Swiatek in the world rankings to No. 2.
Both players will now head to Miami for the second part of the Sunshine Double, but Sabalenka managed to celebrate on Sunday night.
“Maybe a couple of drinks just to cheer ourselves,” said Sabalenka. “And that’s it, because the schedule is really tight and we’re on to the next one, and I cannot relax too much. I’m [the] defending champion there and it’s Miami, I love being there, playing there, so I want to do well there as well.”
Sinner beats Medvedev in straight sets to win for the first time in Indian Wells
Jannik Sinner edged Daniil Medvedev 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to win the BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday, capturing his first championship in Indian Wells to become just the third man ever to win all six Masters 1000 hard-court trophies.
“It was a very, very tough match,” said Sinner, who joins Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the only men to win all six hard-court Masters titles. “It is great to see Daniil back playing this level. I am very happy. I came here from day one, training really hard and this result makes me very happy. Sharing this moment with the team and friends here is really special.”
Sinner did not drop a set throughout the tournament, and came back from 0-4 down in the second set tiebreak to continue that streak and avoid a deciding third set.
“I kept believing and kept pushing,” he said. “I went for my shots a little more. A third set, we would have started even so I tried my best to close it out and I am very happy. It was an incredible ending.”
The win moved Sinner’s head-to-head record with Medvedev to 9-7, and improved his record in 2026 to 13-2.
“I would like to congratulate Jannik, amazing tennis, tough to play against you,” said Medvedev. “I tried my best, but big congrats to you for everything you are doing.”
