Rybakina sets up Sabalenka rematch

TENNIS: Elena Rybakina smashed world No 1 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-2 to secure a place in the women’s final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The Kazakh (pictured) made it two wins this season against Swiatek in a dominating display, following on from her fourth-round victory over the Pole at the Australian Open. Rybakina was in control from the outset, consolidating an early break to race out to a 3-0 lead before claiming the first set in 36 minutes. Rybakina went into a 4-0 lead in the second set before Swiatek mounted some resistence, before losing the second set. The result sets up a repeat of the Australian Open final, after Aryna Sabalenka cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 victory over world No 7 Maria Sakkari. Sabalenka edged Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Melbourne in January to earn her first major title.