Aryna Sabalenka celebrates maiden Indian Wells triumph on court with her new puppy after seeing off Elena Rybakina

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Aryna Sabalenka celebrated her first Indian Wells title with her new puppy on court, just days after she got engaged in what has been a truly memorable week for the world No. 1. In a repeat of the Australian Open final, Sabalenka got her revenge as she downed Elena Rybakina in a thrilling match in California, recovering from a set behind to claim victory.

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A puppy, an engagement and her first Indian Wells title - Aryna Sabalenka has had a rollercoaster week.

The world No. 1 overcame Elena Rybakina on Sunday to claim her first Indian Wells triumph in a replay of the Australian Open final, which Rybakina won for her second career Grand Slam.

Sabalenka got her revenge in a thrilling contest, which she eventually won 3-6 6-3 7-6(8) in the blazing California heat.

Indian Wells Women's Singles -

'I'm so done with losing' - Sabalenka targets Indian Wells victory over Rybakina

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"It's boiling hot, so I'm not sure if I can make it right now," Sabalenka said afterwards.

"Congratulations Elena on another great tournament. It's truly a tennis paradise and thank god I got this trophy.

"What a week! Getting a puppy, getting engaged and winning the title. I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life.

"I feel super happy, of course. I'm still unhappy with a couple of things in the match. I feel as though I could have closed this match earlier, but Elena returned really well today and put me under so much pressure.

"I'm just happy that in the last three points of the match I was able to put everything out there that I had and get the win. It was stressful, but I was able to be focused and calm."

Rybakina responded to Sabalenka's words, as the Belarusian celebrated her win with her new puppy on court.

"Congratulations to Aryna and her team. Hopefully, we will play again very soon," Rybakina said.

"Not the result we wanted, but it's been a good couple of weeks."

In her third Indian Wells final, after losing in 2023 and 2025, Sabalenka fell a set down and was made to fight off championship point as history looked as if it could be repeating itself in the 27-year-old's bid for a maiden triumph in California.

Rybakina, who went into the match with a head-to-head advantage, won the first set 6-3 relatively comfortably and quickly broke Sabalenka in the first game of the second set.

But Sabalenka roared back and took the second set 6-3, before the third set took the match over two-and-a-half hours long.

Sabalenka looked to be on course for victory at 5-3 ahead in the decider, but Rybakina battled hard to force a tiebreak, where she earned the chance to win the title with a championship point.

But Sabalenka dug deep to deliver a phenomenal backhand winner, and soon after a long Rybakina return sealed the title for the four-time Grand Slam winner.

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Indian Wells Women's Singles -