Third time's the charm? Sabalenka reaches Indian Wells final again, determined to break runner-up curse

In a WTA1000 Indian Wells semifinal concluded on the morning of July 14, world number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Czech player Noskova 6-3/6-4, advancing powerfully to the final. This marks her third final appearance in her three tournaments this season, and her third career entry into the championship match at Indian Wells. However, her previous two final experiences here have left bitter memories for the Belarusian star. She will carry a "third time's the charm" determination into the final, facing Rybakina, who defeated her here in the 2023 final.

At the post-match press conference, when asked by a reporter about "whether she needs to breakthrough in major finals," the world number one did not evade the question:“I just want to focus on one thing—if I reach the final, I must win it, I must lift the trophy. I'm really tired of losing in these big finals.”

Behind these words lies a glaring flaw in Sabalenka's illustrious record: despite holding four Grand Slam titles and maintaining the world number one ranking for 80 weeks, her win rate in major finals remains a topic of discussion among fans. The Belarusian herself is clearly bothered by this:“It feels like even if the opponent plays exceptionally well in the final, I actually had many opportunities, but I didn't seize them. My mindset now is: once I reach the final, I will fight with everything I have, using every possible means to win the trophy.”

This almost obsessive determination precisely reflects the final thin barrier between a true champion and greatness—from "always reaching finals" to "always winning finals."

When the reporter mentioned the 2023 final against Rybakina, Sabalenka's recollection was surprisingly vague:“Honestly, I don’t remember much. I remember it was a tiebreak, a very tight tiebreak. I remember I had a set point, then double-faulted. I remember I also broke serve and led, then she broke back. Then another tiebreak, a crazy tiebreak.”

In that match, Sabalenka missed a set point in the first-set tiebreak and ultimately lost 6-7(11)/4-6. Memory may fade, but she knows her opponent's characteristics well:“Playing against Rybakina is always highly aggressive; the first few shots of each point are crucial. If you gain the initiative in the first few shots, that point is likely yours. The pace is very fast, the confrontation very fierce.”

Regarding how to handle such blitzkrieg, Sabalenka gave her answer: “I think focusing on my own tactics, focusing on the small details within each point, can both keep you relaxed and ready to engage at any moment. I believe this is the best way to handle such matches.”

Besides the final curse, Sabalenka also revealed her recent career evolution trajectory during the press conference. Over the past year, she has incorporated new elements like drop shots and net approaches into her technical system, making her once famously powerful hitting style more multidimensional:“I hope all the techniques I've developed over these years can reach higher quality. But I feel that to stay at the top, you must constantly seek new things, add small details to your game, making yourself unpredictable.”

This self-renewal awareness stems from a clear understanding of the brutality of professional sports: “Compared to myself a few years ago, I'm definitely much stronger now, with a more comprehensive playing style. I know if Plan A doesn't work, I have Plan B and Plan C.”

In Saturday's final, Sabalenka will face the same opponent as this year's Australian Open final, with the same championship desire. The difference is, she now carries an added sense of being "tired of" final losses, and possesses a set of "Plan B and Plan C" to handle various situations.

Rybakina is also in fiery form, having swept her semifinal opponent, showcasing powerful serve and baseline strength. The clash between these two offensive players is destined to be a lightning-fast duel—just as Sabalenka said, "the first few shots of each point are crucial."

For Sabalenka, this is not only an opportunity to chase her first Indian Wells title, but also a crucial battle to break the pattern of "always falling short in major tournament finals." The runner-up plates from her previous two Indian Wells campaigns might be the motivation driving her towards the championship.

Third time's the charm is a hopeful expectation from fans for Sabalenka, and also a promise a champion makes to herself. In the final at Indian Wells center court early Sunday Beijing time, fans will witness whether Sabalenka can fulfill this promise.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)