Sabalenka Advances to Quarter-Finals
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 to secure her place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals. Meanwhile, fourth seed Alexander Zverev also progressed to the last eight in the men’s singles event.
Sabalenka and Osaka, both holders of four Grand Slam titles, faced each other for the first time since 2018. Their previous encounter was at the US Open that year, where Osaka triumphed en route to her first major championship. However, Sabalenka’s powerful game proved decisive against the former champion.
“Yeah, that’s crazy, for so many years we only played once. I’m pretty sure we are playing many more matches – she’s coming back playing great tennis,” Sabalenka said during her on-court interview. “I’m pretty happy for the result today, much better than last time.”
Osaka started the match confidently with a strong service game, but Sabalenka quickly found her rhythm. Capitalizing on a brief lapse from Osaka, including two double faults, Sabalenka broke serve to lead 2-1. She then extended her advantage with a series of powerful backhands to reach 5-2 and served out the first set comfortably with an ace.
In the second set, both players held serve early on, but Sabalenka’s firepower allowed her to break again for a 4-2 lead. This break proved decisive as she maintained control to close out the match in straight sets, continuing her tournament run without dropping a set.
“I’m happy that I put so much pressure on her today, that I brought variety to the court,” Sabalenka said. “My serve worked well. On the return I played really great tennis. Happy with my performance for sure.”
Sabalenka, who was the runner-up at Indian Wells last year, will face either Canada’s Victoria Mboko or American Amanda Anisimova in her quest for a first title at the California event.
Australian Qualifier Talia Gibson Stuns Paolini
Australia’s Talia Gibson achieved the biggest win of her career by defeating Italy’s world No 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. This was Gibson’s first match against a top-10 player and marked her debut in a WTA 1000 main draw. Additionally, she became the first qualifier in 11 years to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.
“I just have a confidence in the way I’m playing … I’m in shock,” Gibson said.
Zverev and Fils Advance in Men’s Draw
In the men’s singles, fourth seed Alexander Zverev defeated 21st-seeded Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4. Zverev converted two of three break points and delivered 14 aces to secure his ninth victory against the American. He will next face France’s Arthur Fils, aiming to reach his first Indian Wells semi-final.
Arthur Fils produced a remarkable 6-3, 7-6 (9) win over Canadian ninth seed Félix Auger-Aliassime. Fils saved five set points and rallied from 0-5 down in the second-set tiebreak to advance to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year.
