Sabalenka Powers Past Noskova in Straight Sets

Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from claiming the BNP Paribas Open title after a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Linda Noskova in the semifinals on Friday, March 13, 2026. The Belarusian dispatched Noskova in 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Championship Showdown: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina

Sabalenka will face Elena Rybakina in Sunday’s final. Rybakina secured her spot in the championship match with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Elina Svitolina.

This match carries added weight for Sabalenka, as it’s a rematch of the Australian Open final, which Rybakina won. Sabalenka is also seeking her first Indian Wells title, having previously finished as runner-up twice.

“I’ll make sure that I’m more than ready on Sunday, and I’ll bring my best tennis, make sure that This represents the year,”

Aryna Sabalenka

Key Stats and Performance

Sabalenka improved her record in 2026 to 12-1 with the semifinal win. She has reached the semifinals in six consecutive WTA Tour events. She connected on 38 of 58 first serves and recorded 11 aces against Noskova.

“I would say that, yeah, serve was the biggest thing in this match,”

Aryna Sabalenka

“I was trying to stay focused on my serve and strive to put as much as pressure as I could on her serve. And, lucky me, I got this win.”

Rybakina won 78% of her first serves against Svitolina, who committed eight double faults during their match.

Head-to-Head History

Sabalenka has a 8-7 record against Rybakina, but has lost their last two encounters.

FAQ

• When is the final? Sunday.
• Who is Sabalenka playing in the final? Elena Rybakina.
• What is Sabalenka’s record in 2026? 12-1.