Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka delivered a dominant performance at the BNP Paribas Open, routing Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1 in the Indian Wells semi-finals. With this emphatic victory, Sabalenka avenged her Australian Open loss to Keys and secured a spot in the final against rising Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva.
Sabalenka’s Statement Win
Sabalenka, the world number two, came into the match with a clear objective—revenge.
“I was hungry,” said Sabalenka, referencing her heartbreaking defeat to Keys in January.
“That Australian Open match was really heartbreaking for me, and I really needed some time to recover after that. If I would lose today again, it would get in my head, and I didn’t want that to happen. I was really focused—I was just really hungry to get this win against Madison.”
Keys entered the match on a 16-match winning streak but struggled against Sabalenka’s aggressive play. The Belarusian stormed through the first 11 games before Keys finally held serve at 5-1 in the second set. However, Sabalenka wasted no time closing out the match.
“I think tactically I played really great tennis,” she said, emphasizing her strategy to keep Keys out of rhythm.
Andreeva Shocks Swiatek Again
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva continued her meteoric rise by stunning Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 6-3. The Russian teenager, already making headlines on the WTA Tour, ended Swiatek’s bid to become the first woman to win three Indian Wells titles.
Andreeva, who previously defeated Swiatek in the Dubai Open quarter-finals, showed remarkable composure under pressure. The Polish world number two dominated the second set, but Andreeva adjusted her tactics in the third to reclaim control.
“I felt like I’m gonna go and play the tiebreak like it’s the last tiebreak of my life,” said Andreeva, expressing confidence in her aggressive approach.
She sealed the win with her third break of the final set, setting up a thrilling title clash with Sabalenka.
A Final of Experience vs. Youth
The Indian Wells 2025 final now features a fascinating generational battle—Sabalenka, 26, versus Andreeva, 17.
“It’s kind of like an old mama playing against a kid,” Sabalenka joked ahead of the highly anticipated showdown.
With Sabalenka’s power game and Andreeva’s fearless shot-making, the final promises an electrifying conclusion to the WTA 1000 event in California.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Indian Wells Open as the world watches to see who will lift the trophy!