Aryna Sabalenka saved a match point on the way to a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory over Elena Rybakina on Sunday to claim a long-awaited first Indian Wells title.
Sabalenka ended a frustrating run of finals futility against Rybakina, who had won their last four title clashes starting with a triumph at Indian Wells in 2023 and including a nail-biter at the Australian Open in January.
Sabalenka rallied from a break down in the second set and fought off a match point trailing 5-6 in the tiebreaker before finally gaining the longed-for title ¡ª and a healthy measure of revenge.
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