Elina Svitolina delivers statement victory, Aryna Sabalenka marches on at Indian Wells

The Ukrainian earned one of the biggest wins of her career with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over world number two Swiatek. Svitolina drew first blood at Tennis Paradise, winning the opening set after racing to a 3-0 lead in quick time.

Swiatek battled back in the second set to force a decider, where Svitolina's ironclad mind came to the fore. The pair swapped service games all the way to 4-4, but then Swiatek left the door open with two breakpoint chances. Svitolina grabbed the second opportunity and then coldly served out to love for the victory.

"There is no champion who is waiting for mistakes," Svitolina said of her mindset in her post-match press conference.

"And you really have to try to set yourself up in a good position to attack. I was feeling good and I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well. So if you don't take the opportunity at the right time, she's going to take it."

She now faces third seed Elena Rybakina, who defeated American Jessica Pegula 6-1, 7-6(4).

Earlier, Sabalenka continued her impressive form at Indian Wells with a fourth consecutive straight set victory. This time, starlet Victoria Mboko was the victim. The Canadian had her chances, but Sabalenaka saved all five break points she faced on her way to a 7-6(0), 6-4 win.

"I feel like the moment (when) I will feel relaxed, I will definitely start losing," quipped the world number one afterwards.

"So I felt that's why I have been really successful in those tiebreaks, because I take it really serious, I'm not focusing on the past. I'm just trying to take it once again one point at a time.

"I'm aggressive. I'm not thinking about this is tiebreak. I'm just focusing on my game, and I think that's been really the key."

Sabalenka next faces Linda Noskova, who reached the Indian Wells semifinals for the first time in her career when she defeated Australian qualifier Talia Gibson 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

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