Aryna Sabalenka Advances to Semifinals
Aryna Sabalenka has been a prominent player on the WTA Tour, achieving significant milestones in her career. On March 12, 2026, she continued her impressive run at the BNP Paribas Open by defeating fellow competitor Victoria Mboko with a score of 7-6(0), 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
This victory marked Sabalenka’s third career semifinal appearance at the BNP Paribas Open. Throughout the match, she showcased her resilience by saving all five break points she faced, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure.
Sabalenka’s success in this tournament is part of a broader trend, as she has now reached six consecutive semifinals on the WTA Tour. Notably, she has been a runner-up at Indian Wells in both 2023 and 2025, underscoring her consistent performance at this prestigious event.
In the quarterfinal match, Sabalenka’s first set against Mboko was particularly remarkable, as it marked the first time she claimed a 7-0 tiebreak at tour level in her career. Her strong performance in tiebreaks has been a hallmark of her game, as she currently holds a 4-0 record in tiebreaks for the year 2026.
Victoria Mboko, only 19 years old, faced challenges during the match, committing eight double faults. However, she managed to save seven out of eight break points, showcasing her potential as a rising star in women’s tennis.
After the match, Sabalenka praised Mboko, stating, “I think all of those young kids who’s on tour right now, they all have a huge potential to be Grand Slam champions.” This reflects Sabalenka’s recognition of the emerging talent in the sport.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s next opponent will be No. 14 seed Linda Noskova in the semifinals. Observers are eager to see if Sabalenka can continue her winning streak and advance to the finals of the BNP Paribas Open.
As she prepares for this crucial match, Sabalenka remains focused, emphasizing her approach to tiebreaks: “I feel like the moment (when) I will feel relaxed, I will definitely start losing. So I felt that’s why I have been really successful in those tiebreaks, because I take it really serious.”
With her determination and skill, Sabalenka is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
