WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka Beats Karolina Muchova in First Group Match
Sabalenka fought through a tight opener and Andreeva cruised in her debut as the field began round-robin play.
- On Monday, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchova in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. The former world number one secured victory in under two hours to begin her campaign.
- Top-Ranked Elena Rybakina withdrew Saturday due to what the WTA described as a "viral illness," elevating Sabalenka to top seed. The tournament relocated to Indian Wells this year after two consecutive years in Riyadh.
- Muchova, the only player at the event with a winning head-to-head record against Sabalenka, twice went a break up in the opening set. The top seed broke back each time before dominating the tiebreak.
- This victory extends Sabalenka's win streak at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to seven matches. The Belarus tennis star previously won the BNP Paribas Open title at this venue in March.
- Chasing her first WTA Finals title after losses in 2022 and 2025, Sabalenka aims to improve on last year's final defeat to Rybakina. Her opening victory positions her strongly in the round-robin stage.
125 Articles
125 Articles
Aryna Sabalenka holds off Karolina Muchova to open WTA Finals bid
INDIAN WELLS, California— Aryna Sabalenka defeated Karolina Muchova 7-6 (2), 7-5 for her first win at the 2026 WTA Finals on Monday. The former world No. 1, who will next face No. 3 seed Mirra Andreeva, got through two close sets to beat Muchova in 1 hour, 53 minutes. “I was just trying to stay calm,” said Sabalenka, who won the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March. “She can come back at any time and you have to be focused from the beginnin…
The second tennis player of the world, Aryna Sabalenka, won in Indian Wells from the Czech Karolina Muhova with 7:6 (2), 7:5, in the match of the first round of Group 2 at the final WTA tournament.
The Belarusian woman fought the Czech Karolina Muchova in three sets. Mirra Andreeva had it easier.
World number two, Arina Sabalenka, began with the right course at the Tour of Champions, obtaining a victory hard won in front of Karolina Muchova, while Mirra Andreeva passed without problems of Elina Svitolina, with the start of the games in Group 2 months.
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