Sabalenka and Rybakina to Face Off Again in Indian Wells Final
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will compete against each other in a final for the third time in just over four months, meeting at Indian Wells on Sunday.
World number one Sabalenka advanced comfortably by defeating Czech player Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, world number three Rybakina overcame Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-4 in California.
"It feels great," Sabalenka said. "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."
Rybakina has won four of their five previous final encounters, including the most recent at the WTA Finals in November and the Australian Open in January.
"I'm going to fight as much as I can. Hopefully it's going to be a great match," said the Kazakhstani player, who defeated Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final last year.
Sunday's final will be Sabalenka's 14th WTA 1000 final appearance.
Sabalenka Comments on Controversial Draper Hindrance Call
Sabalenka expressed her opinion that players should immediately halt play and request a video review when a hindrance occurs, referencing the recent dispute between Daniil Medvedev and Jack Draper during the quarter-finals.
During that match, British player Draper was penalised with a contentious hindrance call, which led to some fans booing Russian Medvedev.
At 5-5 in the first set, Draper briefly stretched his arms wide during a rally to indicate he believed Medvedev's forehand was out. The rally continued for seven more shots before Medvedev hit a backhand into the net.
Medvedev then asked umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review to determine if Draper had caused a hindrance—defined as an action or noise that disturbs an opponent.
After reviewing the footage multiple times on her tablet, Tourte ruled against Draper, stating, "you did something different in the rally than you would normally do," and awarded the point to Medvedev.
Following the decision, Draper was defeated after the controversial call.
Sabalenka commented, "What I think is really awkward is you can finish the point and then ask for that.
If you really got bothered, then you should stop immediately and ask for the video review.
If he would have won the point, he wouldn't probably ask for the video review, right? I don't really think that's the way it should be.
He made the move, but I don't think it bothered Daniil that much."
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