The Tiger has done what she does best as Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Karolina Muchova 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 in her opening match of the WTA Finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden
In the first set, both players started well, holding their serves and hitting strong shots. Muchova broke Sabalenka’s serve to take a 3-2 lead.
She later moved ahead 5-4 and was close to winning the set. Sabalenka fought back and broke Muchova’s serve to make it 5-5. The set went to a tie-break, where Sabalenka played better, made fewer mistakes and won 7-2 to take the first set 7-6.
In the second set, Sabalenka started strongly and took a 4-2 lead with powerful serves and forehands. Muchova fought back and broke Sabalenka’s serve to level the score at 5-5. Sabalenka responded by breaking Muchova’s serve to lead 6-5. She then served for the match and won the game to take the set 7-5.
Addressing the crowd and media on-court, Sabalenka said,” It was a tough battle, it’s always tough matches against her.
“She’s such a high IQ player, and every time you have to be focused, ready for everything, and have to play smart.
“I’m super happy I was able to start with a win.”
Sabalenka’s next opponent is Mirra Andreeva in the group stage of the WTA finals. Both players have faced each other six times on the WTA Tour, with Sabalenka leading their head-to-head record 4-2.
They first played against each other at the 2023 Madrid Open, where Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-1. Sabalenka also defeated Andreeva in the 2024 Madrid Open quarterfinals, winning 6-1, 6-4. Andreeva got her first win against Sabalenka at the 2024 French Open quarterfinals, coming from a set down to win 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4.
Sabalenka then won their next two matches, thrashing Andreeva in the 2025 Brisbane International semi-finals 6-3, 6-2, and in the Australian Open fourth round 6-1, 6-2. Andreeva got her revenge at the 2025 Indian Wells final, where she came from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
