Indian Wells Welcomes "Super Wednesday": Sabalenka vs. Osaka, Fonseca Challenges Sinner

As the tournament enters the round of 16, the 2026 ATP/WTA 1000 Indian Wells event will reach another exciting peak on March 11 Beijing time. The quarterfinal battles in the men's singles lower half and women's singles upper half will kick off first, featuring multiple heavyweight matchups full of highlights.

Top Players' Showdown: Sabalenka vs. Osaka

⏰March 11, 2:00 Beijing Time

World No. 1 Sabalenka will face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka for a quarterfinal spot. Their only previous encounter dates back to the distant 2018 US Open, when both were rising stars on the WTA tour. Now, they have each reached the pinnacle of the sport.

Sabalenka and Osaka

“I felt at that time that both of us would go far in the future,” Osaka recalled about that match, which she won in a tight three-set battle and ultimately claimed her first Grand Slam title. In the following three years, Osaka captured four Grand Slams and ascended to world No. 1; Sabalenka also progressed step by step, likewise winning four Grand Slam titles and climbing to the top of women's tennis. Sabalenka expressed her anticipation for this matchup: “It will be a fashion show, then a crazy match. Naomi Osaka is an outstanding player.”

From emerging talents to meeting at the summit, Sabalenka and Osaka will meet again on Court 1 at 2:00 tomorrow, nearly eight years after their last encounter. The direct clash between two power players promises to deliver an exciting offensive battle for fans.

Popularity Battle: Fonseca vs. Sinner⏰

March 11, 9:00 Beijing Time

Men's singles second seed Jannik Sinner's fourth-round opponent is Brazilian rising star João Fonseca. Both players received nominations for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards (World Sportsman of the Year and Breakthrough of the Year). This first-ever meeting between two popular players will commence at 9:00 tomorrow morning on Court 1.

Fonseca and Sinner

Fonseca commented on facing top players like Sinner and Alcaraz: “It’s significant to compete against these elite players. I will enjoy every moment on court, savor the match as much as possible, and see where my level stands.” The 19-year-old sensation surged last year and has regained momentum at Indian Wells after injury setbacks this season, saving a match point to defeat Karen Khachanov in the second round and then beating home favorite Tommy Paul.

Indian Wells is the only hard-court Masters event Sinner has yet to win. In this sudden encounter, he aims to extend his excellent form from previous rounds and strive for victory. Can the younger Fonseca become the third player to shake up the current “dual-star dominance” of Alcaraz and Sinner in men's tennis?

North American Showdown: Anisimova vs. Mboko

⏰March 11, 9:00 Beijing Time

Anisimova secured two Grand Slam runner-up finishes last year and steadily maintains a Top 10 ranking; as last year's WTA Newcomer of the Year, Mboko also entered the Top 10 for the first time this season. This focal clash between two Top 10 players will unfold tomorrow at 9:00 on Court 2, marking their first professional meeting.

Anisimova and Mboko

During the Middle East season, Anisimova reached the semifinals in Dubai; Mboko made her first WTA 1000 final in Doha, finishing as runner-up. Carrying strong form and full confidence, both players have had relatively smooth paths at Indian Wells, though Anisimova lost one set in the second round before winning her next four matches with only three games dropped (including a sweep of US Open champion Raducanu); Mboko successively eliminated Birrell and Kalinskaya in straight sets.

In 2018, the 16-year-old Anisimova stunned at Indian Wells by defeating Pavlyuchenkova and Kvitova. Now, as a top-ranked player facing a formidable rising star, what performance will she deliver? Let's wait and see!

Mixed Doubles Full Draw

The mixed doubles draw for Indian Wells was also released today, with 16 pairs competing for a share of the million-dollar prize. Grand Slam champion pair Errani/Vavassori and this season's Australian Open runners-up Mladenovic/Giné have entered. Several top singles players who exited earlier, such as Rublev, Khachanov, Tsitsipas, Sakkari, and Fernandez, will also join the competition.

（Text, Editor: Dato; Image: Visual China）