BTS: Aryna Sabalenka gives puppy Ash ice bath after Indian Wells triumph, stars in iconic mountain trophy photo

Aryna Sabalenka finally got her hands on the BNP Paribas Open trophy she coveted by coming through a riveting final with rival Elena Rybakina.

After failing to serve out the contest on a scorching Sunday at 5-4 in the third, and then watching Rybakina save five break points to hold for 6-5, the world No. 1 later saved a championship point in the ensuing tiebreak.

One final long shot from Rybakina in a baseline exchange sealed the gripping 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory for Sabalenka, who had previously dropped title matches in 2023 (to the Kazakh) and last year to Mirra Andreeva.

Afterwards, the four-time major winner naturally included the newest addition to her family—puppy Ash—to celebrate the moment, ahead of getting her long-awaited chance to be front and center for the tournament’s iconic trophy shot with Santa Rosa mountains backdrop.

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