Sabalenka beats Muchova 7-6, 7-5 to open WTA Finals in Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign at the season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells with a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 win over Karolína Muchová in Monday’s Group 2 match. The first set went to a tiebreak, which Sabalenka took 7-2 before closing the second set 7-5.

The Women’s Tennis Association said it was Sabalenka’s fifth consecutive victory in the opening match of the FAGE WTA Finals. The win gave Muchová her first tiebreak defeat of 2026 and left the two players level at 3-3 in their career series. Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, is trying to win the WTA Finals title for the first time.

The WTA Finals action at Indian Wells also included Elina Svitolina playing Mirra Andreeva in the evening session, while a doubles preview for the BNP Paribas Open said Taylor Townsend was seeking twin success in the event.

Knee issue and a 2026 season to rescue

Sabalenka had been dealing with a knee issue ahead of the WTA Finals. Yahoo Sports reported that the 2026 season had been disappointing by her own standards and that she was trying to end the year in style with a strong run at the season-ending event. Lob and Smash described her WTA Finals appearance as an attempt to salvage her 2026 season.

The reports did not say whether the knee problem had affected her movement or service during Monday’s match, but the straight-sets scoreline made for a clean start to her tournament.

Miami form, Rybakina battle and sudden withdrawal

Sabalenka’s record against Elena Rybakina this season includes two notable win-loss swings. Yahoo Sports reported that Sabalenka defeated Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the Indian Wells final, while Rybakina had beaten Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 in the Miami Open semifinal.

At the Miami Open, Sabalenka had not lost a set in the tournament. News18 reported that she marked one of those wins by sipping a margarita with Prakash Amritraj.

Rybakina then withdrew from the WTA Finals. Sabalenka responded with an emotional message to her fellow Grand Slam champion. Tennis365 reported that Sabalenka described the withdrawal as a shock, saying, “It was a big shock.”

The withdrawal reshaped the field as the tournament continued at Indian Wells, although the reports did not give a substitute opponent or explain the reason for Rybakina’s absence.

Jewellery, US Open and first ambassadorship

Aryna Sabalenka’s off-court profile has also grown. Yardbarker reported that she wore jewellery valued at $330,000 while winning the 2026 US Open and has now become a luxury brand’s first ambassador.

The report did not identify the brand or say how long the ambassadorship will last. It presented the role as a new chapter following the jewellery-heavy US Open celebration.

The results leave Sabalenka and Muchová tied at 3-3 in their head-to-head series after Monday’s two-set opener.