Aryna Sabalenka defeated Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1 to reach the Indian Wells WTA 1000 final.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Madison Keys 6-0, 6-1 in the Indian Wells WTA 1000 final on Friday, avenging her loss to the fifth-ranked American in the Australian Open final. Sabalenka needed only 51 minutes to set up a final match against Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, who defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 6-3. The Belarussian said she was out for revenge after Keys denied her a third Australian Open title, and she was on fire from the start, completing the first set in 23 minutes.
Keys was on a 16-match winning streak, including a triumph in Adelaide before her first major in Melbourne, but the fifth-ranked American couldn’t break through.
Sabalenka was unconcerned by the cold, blowing wind on Stadium Court, dominating the opening 11 games before the misfiring Keys held serve for 5-1 in the second.
The American raised her arms toward her box, where her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, attempted to offer encouragement, but Sabalenka had already sealed the victory.
Sabalenka has reached the Indian Wells final for the second time. She finished second behind Elena Rybakina in 2023.
