The latter, the first of her country to reach this stage of a tournament of this category just below the Grand Slams, will try to finally take revenge, in the Californian desert Sunday, she who has four defeats in as many matches played against her future opponent.

And judging by her impressive performance against Swiatek, the defending champion who won 6-2, 6-2 in just 1:16, Rybakina has reason to believe in her star. "If I play like I do today, I think I have every chance," admitted the Wimbledon winner last year.

"I'm very proud, I played very well today and I didn't necessarily expect it after yesterday's difficult victory (won in three sets against Czech Karolina Muchova, editor's note). I played one of my best matches this season," added the world No. 10.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her victory over Greece's Maria Sakkari, on March 17, 2023 in Indian Wells © Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

The 23-year-old Kazakh was dealing with a Polish rival, also revengeful, two months after Melbourne, since she had already dismissed her without much care in the 8th final.

"Embarrassment to the ribs"

Saying she was determined to set the record straight the day before, Swiatek, who said he was "100% ready" for this meeting, was always a time behind the shots of her opponent, who succeeded almost everything she undertook. And if she pleaded "a little discomfort at the level of the ribs" in a press conference, rarely has we seen the winner of Roland-Garros and the US Open so helpless on court.

Breaking the dream of double of the world N.1, which only Martina Navratilova managed in 1990-1991, Rybakina relied in particular on a first ball extremely effective (82% of points won, 7 aces) and on a return to the rider (57% of points won).

Polish world number one Iga Swiatek during her match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, on March 17, 2023 in Indian Wells © Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

She converted the five break balls she got and erased three of the four obtained by her opponent, who instantly avoided the humiliation of a "donut" (a 6-0) to only delay the deadline, before folding in 1:16.

Earlier, Sabalenka outclassed Greece's Maria Sakkari (6th) 2-6, 3-7 to also reach the final for the first time.

More aggressive and consistent, the 24-year-old Belarusian controlled the match, breaking three times in the first set, mercilessly in return on Sakkari's second balls, with 11 points won out of 14 played.

"I want to win it"

The fight continued with the same effects in the second set, with Sabalenka continuing to bully the 27-year-old Greek (21 winning shots to 9 overall), who appeared borrowed. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she had already spent more than double the time of her rival on the courts, to reach the last square...

She, who was aiming for a second consecutive final, resisted by breaking to get back to 2-2 and had a chance to recover Sabalenka's serve, somewhat on the back foot. But the latter is another player now, who no longer cracks so easily at the slightest annoyance.

"In the past, I've lost so many matches like that, on just a few stupid mistakes. I told myself that it was okay to make these mistakes, that I was not a robot, that I could miss these shots. That's how I was able to keep fighting," she said.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (L) greets Greece's Maria Sakkari after their semifinal on March 17, 2023 in Indian Wells © Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Since his first major title in January in Melbourne, maximum confidence has been in Sabalenka, who has lost only one match out of 18 played in 2023. "I feel very good on the court right now, but I also understand that it won't always be the case. That's why I keep working hard, making sure that on days when things don't go my way, there's no problem. But, yes, it's great to be one of the best players," she smiled.

In Indian Wells, Belarus can confirm this status as early as Sunday. "This tournament looks like a Grand Slam, I really want to win it," she said.

© 2023 AFP