Aryna Sabalenka picks up first win at WTA Finals, will face Mirra Andreeva next

Indian Wells, Calif. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka claimed her first victory at the 2026 WTA Finals on Monday, defeating Karolina Muchova 7-6 (2), 7-5. The former world No. 1 will face No. 3 seed Mirra Andreeva next. Sabalenka, who won the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March, played a calm game, acknowledging that Muchova could come back at any time.

Despite not winning a Grand Slam title in 2023, Sabalenka ends the season with a season-ending title after two runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2025. Muchova, making her WTA Finals debut, had early leads in both sets but lost each time. Elsewhere, Elina Svitolina's French Open champion Elina Svitolina lost to Andreeva 6-4, 6-0, avenging a previous loss to Svitolina at the Australian Open.