Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to contest the Indian Wells final on Sunday in what will be their third championship encounter in little more than four months.
The Belarusian world number one progressed to the California showpiece with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Linda Noskova on Friday.
Kazakhstani Rybakina overcame Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 to progress.
Their latest meeting follows finals at both the WTA Finals in November and the Australian Open in January.
Rybakina emerged victorious on both occasions.
The world number three has claimed four of their five previous final encounters.
Sabalenka has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign, securing 15 victories from her opening 16 contests.
Her solitary defeat came against Rybakina in the Melbourne final last month.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are set to contest the Indian Wells final on Sunday
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The four-time Grand Slam champion established early dominance against 14th seed Noskova, breaking serve to lead 3-1 before stretching her advantage to 5-1.
The Czech briefly interrupted proceedings by breaking back, marking only the second time Sabalenka had dropped serve throughout the tournament.
The top seed is pursuing her maiden Indian Wells crown following runners-up finishes to Rybakina in 2023 and Mirra Andreeva last year.
Her impressive run in California has included straight-sets victories over Naomi Osaka and Victoria Mboko.
Aryna Sabalenka progressed to the California showpiece with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Linda Noskova on Friday
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Rybakina faced a challenging opening set against Svitolina, with the Ukrainian firing four aces early on.
However, unforced errors from Svitolina allowed the Kazakhstani to seize control and dictate play thereafter.
The world number three, who will climb to second in the updated rankings, raced to a 5-1 advantage in the second set.
Despite Svitolina mounting a fightback to narrow the deficit to 5-4, Rybakina held her nerve to close out victory at the second opportunity.
Rybakina has inflicted both of Sabalenka’s defeats since August.
Rybakina has inflicted both of Sabalenka’s defeats since August
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She said: “I’m going to fight as much as I can. Hopefully it’s going to be a great match.”
Sabalenka expressed her determination to finally lift the trophy in the Californian desert.
She said: “It feels great, I’ve lost a couple of finals here, so I’ll make sure that I’m more than ready on Sunday. I’ll bring my best tennis and this is the year.”
Sunday’s contest will represent the Belarusian’s 14th WTA 1000 final, her first at this level since defeating Coco Gauff to claim the Madrid Open title in May 2025.
The only sets Sabalenka has conceded across three tournaments this season came during her three-set loss to Rybakina in Melbourne.
