Sabalenka Defeats Mboko, Praises Rising Star
Aryna Sabalenka, who has secured nine WTA 1,000 titles during her career, described Victoria Mboko as a "future Grand Slam champion" after overcoming the Canadian teenager to continue her pursuit of a first Indian Wells title. Meanwhile, two-time Indian Wells champion Iga Swiatek was eliminated from the tournament.
Mboko challenged world number one Sabalenka intensely in the opening set, but Sabalenka dominated the tie-break 7-0 and eventually broke the 19-year-old's serve in the fifth game of the second set, securing a 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 victory.
"A future star, a future Grand Slam champion, no doubt about that," Sabalenka said of Mboko.
"It's incredible to see these young girls these days, how brave they are. They go out there, they go after their shots, they're aggressive, they're fighting.
"It's incredible to see and for sure we are going to play many more matches in the future."
Sabalenka, who has been runner-up at Indian Wells twice before, will face 14th seed Linda Noskova in the semi-finals of the prestigious WTA 1,000 event. Noskova advanced after defeating Australian qualifier Talia Gibson 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
The 21-year-old Gibson, ranked 112th globally and competing in her first WTA 1,000 main draw, became the first qualifier in 11 years to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells by beating seventh seed Jasmine Paolini on Tuesday.
Swiatek Eliminated by Svitolina
Iga Swiatek, champion at Indian Wells in 2022 and 2024, was defeated in three sets by Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who will face Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina for a place in the final.
World number two Swiatek, who is set to drop below Rybakina in the rankings next week, lost 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Svitolina capitalized on a series of double faults to secure three breaks of serve and take the opening set in 38 minutes. Swiatek responded to force a deciding set, but ninth seed Svitolina secured the only break in the third set and closed out the match, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in seven years.
Third seed Rybakina advanced with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win over American Jessica Pegula.
Alexander Zverev Joins Elite ATP Masters 1,000 Club
Alexander Zverev expressed that it felt "very special" to become just the fifth player to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1,000 tournaments after securing his place in the last four at Indian Wells.
The German defeated Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the California-based tournament for the first time.
By completing the set of Masters 1,000 semi-final appearances, Zverev joined an exclusive group alongside the 'Big Four' of men's tennis: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
"It's very special to be one of five players in history to ever do it," Zverev said.
"For sure, yeah, it's something that I'm very proud of."
Zverev has won titles at five of the nine Masters 1,000 events but has yet to claim a Grand Slam title despite reaching three major finals.
The fourth seed will face world number two Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, aiming to end a five-match losing streak against the Italian to move closer to the Indian Wells trophy.
Sinner, the reigning Wimbledon champion, secured his semi-final spot with a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Learner Tien in 66 minutes.
The world number two is seeking his first Indian Wells title and his first tournament win of 2026, following a semi-final exit at the Australian Open and a quarter-final defeat at the Qatar Open last month.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz will meet Daniil Medvedev in the other men's semi-final after both players overcame British opponents.
Alcaraz defeated Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4, while Medvedev ended British number one Jack Draper's title defense with a 6-1, 7-5 victory.
