As the world number two, Aryna Sabalenka was one of the top favorites in Indian Wells. However, the Belarusian was surprisingly eliminated in the round of 16
Aryna Sabalenka was surprisingly eliminated in the round of 16 at the Masters in Indian Wells. The Belarusian lost to the American Emma Navarro 3:6, 6:3 and 2:6.
However surprising Sabalenka’s exit may be, the world number two had problems in Indian Wells right from the start of the tournament. In her first round match against the unseeded American Peyton Stearns, she had to fend off four match points before reaching the last 16.
World number one Iga Świątek fared better, defeating Julia Putinzewa from Kazakhstan 6:1, 6:2 to easily reach the quarter-finals against Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane had defeated Angelique Kerber 6:4 and 6:2 in the “mother duel.”
