Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina advanced to her first WTA 1000 final after ending No.1 Iga Swiatek's title defense at the Indian Wells Masters, here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The World No.10 notched her second win over Swiatek this season, winning 6-2, 6-2 in Friday night's semifinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having defeated Swiatek in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, Rybakina is now the second woman ever to defeat a reigning World No.1 at the Australian Open and Indian Wells in the same year after Lindsay Davenport in 2000. She is also the first player to win multiple matches over a reigning No.1 since 2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With Iga, she's tough, really tough opponent, but when I play this good and everything goes in -- because today some moments I played, I would say, on my highest level -- these are moments where you can feel, okay, I can beat anyone if I always play like this, " Rybakina said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But it's the goal, you never feel amazing and perfect every match. I think today was just really good for me," she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina will face World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka for the title on Sunday in a rematch of the electric Australian Open final in January. There, Sabalenka edged Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win her first major title. Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 4-0 but all their matches have gone the full three sets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Serving at 61% first serves in, Rybakina won 82% of her first serve points (28\/34) and was a perfect 5 for 5 on break points. She struck 18 winners to just 12 unforced errors while holding Swiatek to just 9 winners and 17 unforced errors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the match, Swiatek revealed she had been managing a rib issue during the tournament. She will remain in California to get additional tests. For now, she is still planning to play the Miami Open, which begins on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Honestly, I haven't played with a lot of injuries. It's a new situation for me, for sure. Last time I played with an injury, like the only tournament I can remember is like Roland Garros 2019. So I was pretty young," Swiatek said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Now it's a totally different level. So I feel like going on that matches you have to be 100% fit," she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Honestly, I haven't played with a lot of injuries. It's a new situation for me, for sure. Last time I played with an injury, like the only tournament I can remember is like Roland Garros 2019. So I was pretty young," Swiatek said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n