Rybakina submits Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 to reach the Indian Wells final
Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan broke the tie in the desert, losing only one set (to H. Baptiste). the world #3 and the reigning Australian Open champion is on a mission, having lost last month to Victoria Mboko in the quarters in Doha and in the round of sixteen in Dubai via retirement due to illness.
Elina Svitolina is back in the top ten in #9 and playing with an abundance of confidence and a sense of urgency. She sent the world #2 Iga Swiatek in three in the quarter after surviving a tough three against tour veteran Laura Siegemund in her opening match.
They were tied at three apiece heading into the head-to-head with Svitolina triumphing in their most recent encounter last spring in Madrid on clay. She also prevailed in a tight three-set match in their only match on the hard court 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Getty Images
Svitolina presented a serious challenge; with nineteen career titles, including five at 1000 level, she is always tough. This was her second semi-final appearance, having lost in three sets 2019 to future champion Bianca Andreescu.
Svitolina served first and with a double fault and ace, it held 30 as Rybakina opened with a double fault, hit the ball with an ace, but dropped serve when she chose not to hit the ball that was in!
Svitolina returned the break with two unforced errors and two winners from the opponent. Rybakina opened the fourth with an incredible inside-out backhand and backhand to tie it at two. Svitolina lost 4/5 serves initially but is easily maintained 15 while Rybakina scored two straight winners, including another even for 3-3.
The ninth seed hit her second double fault and ace, faced two deuces and a break point, but held for 4-3 while Rybakina was serving dear young balls with two incredible groundstroke winners.
Svitolina’s incredible movement, shot tolerance and improved serve were on full display as she easily held 15 to lead 5-4. Rybakina serving to stay in the set faced deuce but leveled at five with three winners, including two extra aces, the last on game point.
Svitolina opened the eleventh with a forehand error, and although she hit her third ace, she gave away two double faults, faced five deuces, three break points and dropped serve. Rybakina kept her composure as she served for the set. The reigning Aussie Open champion dropped three first serves in a row, but with two spectacular backhands and a monster serve out wide, consolidated the break to secure it.
Svitolina served first in the second, and as she hit her third ace, she got a little complacent with two back-to-back faults to drop serve. Rybakina consolidated the break for 2-0 with two more winners, including her fifth ace. Svitolina led 40-15but with two more double faults, they faced four deuce points, three break points and a dropped serve.
Rybakina, closing in on the title match, hit her sixth ace and held 30 to consolidate the break for 4-0 while Svitolina did 4/5 first it is easy to serve and maintain 15 to board.
Rybakina opened the sixth with two consecutive unforced errors, faced two deuces and three break points, but held for 5-1 with a tremendous advantage on the line. Svitolina, serving to stay in the match, served her seventh double fault and faced match point but held for 2-5 with an excellent linebacker.
Rybakina served for the match and, despite leading 40-30faced four deuce points, four break points and dropped serve after a series of unforced errors. Svitolina jumped; although she gave away her eight double faults, she consolidated the break for 4-5 with her sixth ace and a fantastic forehand inside.
The third seed opened with a wonderful forehand down the line and, with two more winners, held her third match point and returned to goal with a well-struck backhand volley. Rybakina was determined to win in a row; Svitolina is a resilient competitor, not to be underestimated. The Ukrainian reached a career high of #3 IN 2017 and is approaching fifty wins against top ten opponents.
In Sunday’s championship match, Rybakina will face the world #1 Aryna Sabalenka, who leads head-to-head 8-7although Rybakina has won the last two with the title on the line. She prevailed in three 2026 Australian Open and in live groups at 2025 WTA The final in Riyadh. They are level 5-5 in hardcourt matches, including Rybakina’s victory in 2023 Indian Wells Final. Win or lose, Rybakina will wake up Monday morning to a career-high #2.
