In the first semi-final, Sabalenka defeated Czech Linda Noskova in straight sets – 6:3, 6:4 after exactly 90 minutes of tennis, while Rybakina was more successful than Ukrainian Elina Svitolina also 2:0 – 7:5, 6:4.
The Belarusian currently leads 8-7 in head-to-head matches against the Kazakh of Russian origin, with Rybakina winning the previous two matches, both in the finals – the final tournament in Riyadh and the Australian Open.
The final in the California desert will be played tomorrow at 7 p.m.
