Sabalenka edges Rybakina to claim long-awaited 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 -- and a healthy measure of revenge. "Thanks God I got this trophy," said Sabalenka, who lost to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva in last year's final.