World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, marking their first meeting since Osaka's 2018 US Open victory over the then-rising Sabalenka. Building on their third-round advances—Sabalenka's straight-sets dominance and Osaka's three-set comeback—both four-time Grand Slam champions are primed for a highly anticipated rematch.
Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka, powerhouses of women's tennis, are scheduled for a fourth-round showdown at Indian Wells after opening-round byes. Sabalenka, world No. 1 since October 2024, defeated Himeno Sakatsume in straight sets before cruising past Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-1. Osaka advanced with a straight-sets win over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and a gritty 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 comeback against Camila Osorio in the third round.
Their sole prior tour-level encounter was the 2018 US Open fourth round, where 20th-seeded Osaka outlasted 26th-seeded Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on her way to her first Grand Slam title—and her first WTA title at Indian Wells that year. Osaka added the 2019 Australian Open, 2020 US Open, and 2021 Australian Open but has not won a WTA title since 2021. After mental health breaks in 2021-2022 and maternity leave in 2023, she returned strongly in 2024, re-entering the top 20.
Sabalenka has since become a force, reaching eight Grand Slam finals and claiming four: the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens, plus the 2024 and 2025 US Opens. She was the 2018 US Open runner-up to Osaka's champion run and has been Indian Wells runner-up in 2023 and 2025, still seeking her first title there.
Osaka is thrilled for the rematch: "I mean, for me, it’s really exciting. I have watched her grow over the years. Obviously, she’s so consistent, she’s the No. 1 player in the world and it’s, for me, very motivating." She called the 2018 clash her toughest match that tournament.
Sabalenka previewed the battle post-match: "Well, it would be for sure a fashion show at the beginning. Then a crazy match. She’s a great player. Came back after pregnancy. Incredible shape. I have been watching her matches, really admire her." She hopes for revenge from their lone meeting.
