"I want that match!": Aryna Sabalenka gets desired Indian Wells final opponent in Elena Rybakina

For the third time in four years, Aryna Sabalenka will play for the BNP Paribas Open crown.

The world No. 1, this time, hopes to walk away with the “bigger” trophy after finishing runner-up in 2023 to Elena Rybakina and 12 months ago to Mirra Andreeva.

When Prakash Amritraj asked her how she always works “to peak at these kind of stages” following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova Friday, Sabalenka responded. “Maybe because I lost so many finals…”

“Aryna you have won so many finals also!” interrupted Amritraj, who later informed the  that her record in title matches was 22-19, better than the “50/50” summation Sabalenka noted.

Later in the pair’s interview, the 27-year-old was tasked with selecting the winner of the second semifinal between Rybakina and Elina Svitolina. For Sabalenka, an opportunity for revenge was hard not to factor into her pick beyond the contrasting matchup of styles itself.

Q. I’m sure TV, movies, it’s all in your future. Give me your best analyst thoughts on this match?

ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean my bet?

Q. Maybe who you’re leaning towards?

ARYNA SABALENKA: This match, I give it 60 to 40 to Rybakina,” she stated. “The power that comes from the other side is not easy to handle. I’m leaning towards Rybakina. And I want that match!”

The Kazakh prevailed over the four-time major winner to clinch her second Grand Slam trophy at January’s Australian Open.

Putting her analyst hat back on during her press conference, Sabalenka noted that the challenge of facing Rybakina is “all about the first few balls in every point. You know, if you dominate in those two points, I feel like most likely you're gonna win the point.

“It's very aggressive, very fast tennis. Yeah, if it's her, I'm excited, actually.”

Not too long after Sabalenka finished her media commitments, Rybakina closed out Svitolina with a 7-5, 6-4 scoreline.  Sabalenka is yet to drop a set through five matches and her only defeat in 17 contests so far in 2026 was that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to one of her chief rivals at Melbourne Park.