Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva opened the 2026 WTA Finals with big wins. Both won Monday's Group 2 openers at Indian Wells — one in a battle, the other a blowout.
Aryna Sabalenka Outlasts Karolína Muchová in Group 2
The world No. 2 edged Karolína Muchová in a tight contest. Muchová reached the event for the first time after a breakout year that included a Wimbledon final and titles in Doha and Bad Homburg.
Sabalenka trailed as her opponent served for the first set at 5-4, but subsequently broke back and dominated the tiebreak. She later led 4-2 in the second, lost her serve at 5-5, and broke again to close it out.
The 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 win highlighted Sabalenka's sixth straight WTA Finals run. However, she is still chasing a first title.
“To get the first win, it’s really important,” she said.
Mirra Andreeva Routs Elina Svitolina
Andreeva's victory delivered far less drama. The French Open champion dismissed Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-0 in her WTA Finals debut, sweeping all six games of the second set.
Svitolina, the 2018 champion, failed to convert any of her six break points. Andreeva also avenged an Australian Open loss to the Ukrainian earlier this year.
“I knew it would be a tricky match,” Andreeva said. “I’m just very happy I was able to get through.”
