INDIAN WELLS — There was no rust evident in Aryna Sabalenka’s sport when she started her 2026 BNP Paribas Open journey with a 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Himeno Sakatsume.
“Super happy with the level I played,“ Sabalenka said afterward. “Super happy to get this win. I haven’t played for a while.”
Indeed, it had been 5 weeks since Sabalenka fell to Elena Rybakina within the Australian Open closing. Sabalenka didn’t play the 2 WTA 1000s within the Middle East, however after arriving right here within the desert, picked up a 12-carat diamond engagement ring.
Sabalenka remains to be solely 27 however has already equaled Maria Sharapova with 136 match-wins in WTA 1000s, good for seventh place. Among lively gamers, solely Victoria Azarenka has extra. Her alternative for No. 137 comes against Jaqueline Cristian — a 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 winner over No. 29 seed Maya Joint — whom she’s by no means performed.
On Sunday, she headlines a fabulous card that showcases among the greatest and the brightest of the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz. No fewer than 11 Grand Slam singles titles are represented in eight third-round matches from the highest half of the draw, that includes some engaging matchups:
Gauff-Eala II
Seventeen days in the past, Coco Gauff dealt with Alexandra Eala 6-0, 6-2 in Dubai.
“To be living my dreams and playing in Indian Wells with a lot of people supporting me is something I’ve dreamed of since I was young,” Eala stated upon arrival right here. “I would love to play her again. I think she’s an incredible athlete and an incredible person and she’s a role model for a reason.”
Wish granted. The 20-year-old phenomenon from the Philippines meets the 21-year-old Gauff with a chance to point out what she realized from their first assembly. Eala is coming off a gritty three-set win over Dayana Yastremska, whereas Gauff was a 6-3, 7-6 (5) winner over qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova.
Gauff performed a terrific tiebreak — she’s the one lady to win all 4 additional classes this 12 months and is 59-30 for her profession — however she’ll want to scrub up a balky forehand and the ten double faults she suffered against Rakhimova.
Eala — who memorably defeated Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, Paula Badosa and Iga Swiatek on the best way to the Miami semifinals a 12 months in the past — has already developed some big-game expertise.
“It’s not my first huge match,” Eala stated. “I think it’s definitely going to be a tough one. I’m expecting a big crowd to rally behind her just because she’s amazing.”
Advantage, Anisimova or Raducanu?
Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova have performed 3 times of their careers, all of them final 12 months. Raducanu received the primary two, however Anisimova prevailed 6-2, 6-1 in Montreal. The 24-year-old American was within the midst of a torrid summer season streak when she reached the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.
“Last time I faced her I was just playing really well,” Anisimova stated. “I performed the best way I wished to play. At the tip of the day, I imply, there may be a sure means I prefer to play. I believe I additionally had discovered my rhythm.
“Yeah, it was a great match. She’s not an easy opponent to face. She always brings high-quality tennis. Hoping for another good one.”
Anisimova had a tough opening set in her match against Anna Blinkova, however after she adjusted to the breezy situations and settled down, received it 5-7, 6-1, 6-0.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is 7-6 for the season after a definitive 6-1, 6-3 win over qualifier Anastasia Zakharova.
A Tennis Garden rematch
We noticed this matchup virtually precisely one 12 months in the past, when Camila Osorio defeated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-4 in a first-round match right here. Osaka received their solely different assembly 4 years in the past on the Australian Open.
Speaking of which, Osaka was sad with this 12 months’s performances Down Under. After needing three units to defeat Antonia Ruzic and Sorana Cirstea, she granted a walkover to Maddison Inglis after a left belly damage. Her 7-5, 6-2 first-round win over qualifier Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva was solely her fifth match of the 12 months.
“I was really disappointed,” Osaka informed reporters. “I feel like every year I go through that specific injury. But, yeah, I’m just grateful to be out here and be playing. Last year I didn’t do too well here, so I think I already exceeded the previous year.”
Osorio was an upset first-round winner over rising star and No. 18 seed Iva Jovic, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Mboko’s forward of the curve
She’s solely 19, however the Canadian has already cracked the Top 10, and whereas it’s a small pattern, she’s been traditionally spectacular in WTA 1000 occasions. Mboko received all seven matches final 12 months in Montreal and reached the current closing in Doha.
That gave her 15 match-wins in her first six 1000s. Since 1990, solely 4 youngsters have claimed extra wins from their opening 20 matches at Tier I/WTA-1000 occasions — and their names are Monica Seles (19), Bianca Andreescu (18), Serena Williams (17) and Jennifer Capriati (16).
“Everyone is good,” Mboko defined. “Everyone desires to, in fact, beat you. I really feel like something can occur. It’s not like I anticipate to win each single event each single week, and that is virtually fairly unattainable.
“I just take it week by week. If it’s not my week, then you just move on.”
The No. 10 seed defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 7-6 (5) and faces No. 23 Anna Kalinskaya, a 6-4, 7-6 (4) winner over Zeynep Sonmez. Mboko has received each of their earlier matches, together with a three-setter earlier this 12 months on the best way to the Adelaide closing.
