Online Reporter
ARYNA SABALENKA and Elena Rybakina will meet in a final for the third time in just over four months at Indian Wells today.
World number one Sabalenka eased past Czech Linda Noskova 6-3 6-4, while Rybakina saw off Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 7-5 6-4 in California yesterday.
World number three Rybakina has won four of their five meetings in finals, most recently at the WTA Finals in November and the Australian Open in January.
“I’m going to fight as much as I can. Hopefully it’s going to be a great match,” said Kazakh player Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final in 2023.
Sabalenka said players should stop proceedings immediately and call for a video review for hindrance, following Daniil Medvedev’s dispute with Jack Draper in the quarter-finals.
Briton Draper was penalised with a controversial hindrance call, after which Russian Medvedev was booed by some fans.
At 5-5 in the first set, Draper briefly stretched his arms out wide during a rally to signal he thought Medvedev’s forehand had gone long.
The rally continued for another seven shots before Medvedev netted a backhand. – BBC
