The BNP Paribas Open women’s semifinals are set after a scorching day of quarterfinal action in the California desert. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her strong run to set up a meeting with Czech Linda Noskova, while Elina Svitolina stunned second seed Iga Swiatek to book a clash with 2023 champion Elena Rybakina.
Aryna Sabalenka [1] versus Linda Noskova [14]
Aryna Sabalenka is through to the semifinal with a 7-6(0) 6-4 victory over Victoria Mboko. After battling it out for almost two hours, the world No. 1 told media that despite her experience in tough matches and tiebreaks, or rather because of it, she does not allow herself to relax and take a step back:
“I feel like the moment I will feel relaxed, I will definitely start losing. So I felt like 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 as a tiebreak. I’m just focusing on my game, and I think that’s been really the key.”
Focusing was not easy for anyone under the noon sun at Stadium 1 with temperatures 36 overall but much hotter on the sun drenched hard courts. Following her victory, the 27-year-old took a moment to remind fans to get some water and maybe even add some salt to it. In her press conference she explained:
“I’m just worried for people to stay hydrated and to stay healthy. Of course we would stop the match if someone feels bad, and we would definitely help them out, but I don’t want that to happen to anyone. I just want everyone to be healthy and happy. It’s a happy place.”
Friday, the 2023 finalist will play Linda Noskova. This will only be their second match. The world No. 1 took the win in 2023, but both players have developed a lot since then so it is not a useful indicator of what to expect. The Czech earned her spot in the penultimate round with a 6-2 4-6 6-2 victory over Australian qualifier Talia Gibson.
Elena Rybakina [3] versus Elina Svitolina [9]
At 31-years-old, Elina Svitolina is the oldest player left in the women’s draw by a long shot. Her best result in the desert was reaching the semifinal round in 2019. This year she reaches at least the same round and is facing the 2023 champion Elena Rybakina, who is five years her junior.
Returning to the tour as a mother in 2023, Svitolina is as much a threat as ever. The Ukrainian beat Iga Swiatek 6-2 4-6 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Reflecting on the match, the ninth seed said, “I think I’m generally trying to be more aggressive, trying to go for my shots. There is no champion who is waiting for the mistakes, and you have to really try to set up yourself in a good position to attack. I was feeling good. I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take the advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well.”
Rybakina will come into the semifinal with the great fortune of having played when it mostly cooled down and there was some shade on the court. She beat Jessica Pegula 6-1 7-6(4). At 1:28 hours, their match was also the shortest women’s quarterfinal.
The semifinal pair are deadlocked at 3-3 in their head-to-head. Svitolina took their most recent meeting at the 2025 Madrid Open, as well as their only previous hard-court clash at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Kazakhstani player is ready for a battle and knows what to expect: “Definitely I felt when she came back that she’s playing more aggressive and she’s trying to really step in on some shots, put pressure, and I think she’s a dangerous opponent. She reads the game well. I will try to focus on my serve, because it’s a weapon, and I really need to use it well, and then of course try to fight and find a way so hopefully I can win this match.”
The first semifinal Friday is scheduled for 16:00, at which point the ambient temperatures are expected to still be around 36 degrees, but with the relief of some shade coverage on the stadium court.
