Elena Rybakina dominates top seed Iga Swiatek to reach Indian Wells final

By PA Sport Staff

Elena Rybakina breezed through world number one Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-2 to secure a place in the women’s final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The 10th-ranked Kazakh made it two wins this season against Swiatek in a dominating display, following on from her fourth-round victory over the Pole at the Australian Open.

Rybakina was in control from the outset, consolidating an early break to race out to a 3-0 lead before claiming the first set in just 36 minutes.

Welcome to the final, Elena 😁#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/IvqTs2n3gT

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023

The reigning Wimbledon champion was even more impressive in the second set.

She took just 20 minutes to build a 4-0 lead, before Swiatek was finally able to mount some resistance by holding serve at 5-1.

Swiatek claimed her first break of the match in the following game, but it was ultimately not enough as Rybakina went on to clinch a resounding victory.

Unstoppable Aryna 💪@SabalenkaA improves to 17-1 on the season to reach a first Indian Wells final defeating Sakkari 6-2, 6-3.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/GGk5GibZQX

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023

The result sets up a repeat of the Australian Open final, after Aryna Sabalenka cruised to a 6-2 6-3 victory over world number seven Maria Sakkari in their semi-final clash.

Sabalenka edged Rybakina 4-6 6-3 6-4 in Melbourne in January to earn her first major title.