Sabalenka wards off Moboko challenge: 'A future Grand Slam champion'

Aryna Sabalenka defeated teenage star Victoria Mboko in a stern test to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells; Watch the ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app

Thursday 12 March 2026 21:27, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Aryna Sabalenka warded off the challenge of Victoria Mboko to progress to the semi-finals at Indian Wells.

Canada's Mboko was dangerous, especially in the first set. The 19-year-old pushed Sabalenka, the world No 1, with strong shots.

Mboko took the first set into a tiebreaker but then Sabalenka raised her level. The world No 1 won the tiebreak to love, the first time she's done that in her career.

Sabalenka secured a break to lead in the second set and, although Mboko fought back, she came through to win 7-6 (7-0) 6-4.

Defeat meant the teenager missed out on a potentially historic fifth ​top-10 win of the year and the first ⁠by a Canadian woman over a world No 1.

Sabalenka gave her opponent a ringing endorsement: "She is definitely ‌a future Grand Slam champion.

"It's incredible to see how brave these young girls are these days. They go out there ‌and go after their shots. They're aggressive and they fight. It's incredible to see," Sabalenka said afterwards.

Stream tennis contract-free with NOW

Tennis scores, results and upcoming matches

Get Sky Sports app for news, video and more

Tennis videos, highlights and best shots

"I'm happy with the win, even though a couple ​of things weren't really working well today. I ⁠still managed to win though. I ⁠don't think she broke me."

Alexander Zverev beat Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-2 6-3 and take a place in the semi-finals.

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.