One of the most dominant players in women’s tennis is still chasing the one big title that has eluded her. She took a step toward it on Monday with a tough win over a player who has often given her trouble.
Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova 7 to 6, 7 to 5 on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, for her first win at the WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
How did Aryna Sabalenka beat Muchova?
Muchova led by a break twice in the first set, but Sabalenka broke back both times before dominating the tiebreaker 7 to 2. Her ability to answer each break kept the set within reach.
The second set featured five breaks of serve. Sabalenka led 5 to 3 before Muchova fought back to 5 all, then Sabalenka hit a forehand winner to break for a 6 to 5 lead and served out the match. Neither player could hold serve consistently in a set full of momentum swings.
The win took 1 hour and 53 minutes. Muchova is the only player in the field with a winning record against Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka said she tried to stay calm, knowing Muchova could come back at any time, and that she had to stay focused from start to finish. Her composure in the key moments made the difference.
What is at stake for Aryna Sabalenka?
Sabalenka, 28 and ranked No. 2 in the world, will finish the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022. She has won four majors in her career. She won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 and the U.S. Open in 2024 and 2025.
She is also out of the race for the top ranking at the end of the year, even though world No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew from the tournament with a viral illness. Rybakina will finish the year at No. 1.
But Aryna Sabalenka can still win her first WTA Finals title. She reached the final in 2022 and 2025 but lost both times. Winning the title would give her a strong finish to a frustrating year.
How did Mirra Andreeva fare?
Mirra Andreeva, the third seed, beat Elina Svitolina 6 to 4, 6 to 0 in her first match at the season finale.
Andreeva, 19, won the French Open this year. She avenged a loss to Svitolina at the Australian Open and saved all six break points she faced. She has quickly become one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Svitolina won the WTA Finals in 2018. Muchova was making her debut at the event.
What comes next for Aryna Sabalenka?
Sabalenka will face Andreeva in her next group match, a matchup between two of the strongest players in the field. Muchova will play Svitolina after both lost their openers. The result could decide who finishes first in the group.
Each player in the group plays the other three, and the top two advance to the semifinals.
Aryna Sabalenka won the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, giving her confidence on these courts. She knows the conditions in the desert well.
What else is happening at the WTA Finals?
In Group 1, Coco Gauff opened with a win over fellow American Jessica Pegula, and Linda Noskova beat alternate Marta Kostyuk, who replaced Rybakina.
The tournament moved to Indian Wells from Saudi Arabia because of instability in the Middle East and runs through Nov. 15. The event will move to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2027.
For Aryna Sabalenka, a strong week in the desert could salvage a season that fell short of her own high standards.
