Sabalenka, Rybakina Set Up Blockbuster Indian Wells Final

Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Sabalenka, Rybakina Set Up Blockbuster Indian Wells Final

Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Aryna Sabalenka (BEL) shakes hands with Linda Noskova (CZE) after winning her the semi final match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina moved into the Indian Wells final with straight-sets victories over Linda Noskova and Elina Svitolina on Friday, setting up a rematch of their Australian Open Grand Slam title clash.

World number one Sabalenka has been in formidable form this season, winning 16 of her first 17 matches, with her only defeat coming against Rybakina in the Melbourne showpiece in January.

She powered past Noskova 6-3 6-4 and will compete for the Indian Wells crown for the third time in four years, seeking her maiden title in the Californian desert.

"It feels great, I've lost a couple of finals here, so I'll make sure that I'm more than ready on Sunday. I'll bring my best tennis and this is the year," Reuters quoted Sabalenka as saying.

Twice ⁠Grand Slam champion ⁠Rybakina overcame a stiff test to see off Ukraine's Svitolina 7-5 6-4, staying on track to claim a second title in the event.

Sunday's title match will mark the third final between Rybakina and Sabalenka in the last six months. Kazakh Rybakina has won their previous two encounters, lifting the WTA Finals trophy in November and securing the Australian Open title.

"I'm going to fight as much as I can," Rybakina said.

"Hopefully ⁠it's going to be a great match."

Sabalenka seized early control, breaking for a 3-1 lead after a Noskova forehand sailed long, and then the Czech's inconsistent serving - including a double fault - handed the Belarusian another break for 5-1.

Noskova briefly halted the momentum by breaking back when Sabalenka served for the set, only the second time that the top seed had dropped her serve during the tournament.

Sabalenka quickly regrouped when she served again at 5-3, sealing the opener with an ace, while Noskova won just half of the points behind her own serve.

A break in the opening game of the second set proved enough for Sabalenka to ⁠seal the victory ⁠over the 21-year-old Noskova, who had just one chance to break back but could not convert against the Belarusian's formidable power and serving.

"Serve was the biggest thing in this match," Sabalenka added. "(Noskova) is an incredible player, I felt that if I give her a small opportunity she will take it."

It will be the 14th WTA 1000 final of Sabalenka's career.

Rybakina struggled early in her semi-final as Svitolina fired four aces in the opening set. But unforced errors from the Ukrainian opened the door for Rybakina, who seized control with her serve and dictated the remainder of the contest.

Rybakina surged ahead 4-0 in the second set, and though Svitolina attempted to claw her way back Rybakina steadied herself to protect the lead and finish the job.



Neymar's Father Appointed Santos FC CEO

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017   Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands   REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017 Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
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Neymar's Father Appointed Santos FC CEO

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017   Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands   REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain vs Amiens SC - Ligue 1 - Paris, France - August 5, 2017 Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar talks with his father, Neymar Snr (L), while in the stands REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo

Brazilian club Santos FC said on Friday it had appointed Neymar's father and agent, Neymar Sr., as its CEO.

Neymar's father has played a key role in his son's career and founded the agency NR Sports, which holds the rights to the Santos player's name and image.

According to reports in Brazilian media, Neymar Sr.'s contract runs until December and he will stay on in the ⁠role if Santos ⁠president Marcelo Teixeira is re-elected next month.

Santos are ninth in the Brazilian Serie A standings with 47 points from 34 matches.

"We have been working daily to find solutions and alternatives to improve ⁠Santos's situation and strengthen our management," Reuters quoted Teixeira as saying in a statement.

"The arrival of Neymar Sr. as the new CEO represents one more step in this process. I am confident that, with his experience and knowledge, we will be able to move forward even further and, together, build an ever-stronger club."

Former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player ⁠Neymar, ⁠Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 130 appearances, returned to his childhood club Santos in 2025.

He was part of the Brazil squad at this year's World Cup in North America, but in late July said he no longer wanted to play for the national team, weeks after suggesting his international career had ended following their last-16 defeat by Norway.


Audio Recording Disabled on Practice Courts at WTA Finals after Pegula Comments Livestreamed

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Jessica Pegula of the United States fields questions from the media during the FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 06, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Jessica Pegula of the United States fields questions from the media during the FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 06, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Audio Recording Disabled on Practice Courts at WTA Finals after Pegula Comments Livestreamed

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Jessica Pegula of the United States fields questions from the media during the FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 06, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Jessica Pegula of the United States fields questions from the media during the FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 06, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Audio recording has been disabled on practice courts at the WTA Finals, the governing body's chair said on Friday, after private comments by Jessica Pegula about Mirra Andreeva were broadcast during a livestream this week.

During a practice session at Indian Wells, California, that was streamed on the WTA's YouTube channel, microphones captured a conversation between world number five Pegula and her coach Mark Knowles.

The American described French Open champion Andreeva as "a diva" among other remarks that were later circulated on social media, with the WTA taking the blame for failing to inform players about active microphones, Reuters reported.

WTA chair Valerie Camillo acknowledged there was a lack of signage and notice given to players and said audio will no ⁠longer be recorded ⁠on practice courts during the tournament, which begins on Sunday.

"The livestream with the audio that was trying to catch ambient sound was active for a period of time, and it's been corrected," WTA chair Valerie Camillo told reporters at Indian Wells. "It's been taken down. There is no more audio recording happening on the practice courts."

Pegula was not asked about the incident ⁠during her media availability on Friday but told ESPN that it was an "unfortunate situation" that can hopefully be used to keep pushing for player privacy, which has been an ongoing concern for the WTA this year.

Twice Grand Slam winner Coco Gauff called for more privacy in January after cameras caught her smashing her racket following her Australian Open quarter-final defeat to Elina Svitolina. Several players, including Pegula and six-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, echoed her calls.

"The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo, where they are observed even when they ⁠poop?" Swiatek ⁠said in January. "Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy. It would be nice also to have your own process and not always be observed."

Following the incident with Gauff, a WTA tournament in Texas unveiled a "rage room" in February for players to take out their frustrations away from the cameras.

Gauff welcomed the idea of rage rooms but added in April that signage was one of the main solutions.

"As a member organization, one of the primary responsibilities of the WTA is to protect our players whenever possible," Camillo said on Friday.

"The players deserve better and we will continue to work to raise the bar for the WTA."

The season-ending WTA Finals run through November 15.


China in Contact with Real Madrid, LaLiga Over Mbappe’s Mao Comments

 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid in Santander, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid in Santander, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP)
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China in Contact with Real Madrid, LaLiga Over Mbappe’s Mao Comments

 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid in Santander, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish LaLiga match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid in Santander, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP)

China is in contact ‌with Real Madrid and LaLiga over the fallout from Kylian Mbappe's remarks about Mao Zedong, China's ambassador to Spain Yao Jing said on Friday.

"There are no negotiations, but there is communication, based on mutual understanding," Yao told Spanish news agency EFE before attending a forum at the University of Salamanca.

"This unfortunate incident hurt the feelings of many people in China, who now have to come to terms with the current situation," he added.

The dispute began after ‌a video circulated ‌online in which the Real Madrid ‌and ⁠France forward discussed ⁠a meme showing his face superimposed on an image of Mao.

Mbappe described the figure as "some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator" but did not name Mao, modern China's founding leader who governed the country from 1949 until his death in 1976.

LaLiga, Real Madrid and the French footballer ⁠all subsequently apologized.

China's state broadcaster CCTV suspended ‌its coverage of LaLiga and ‌several Chinese brands dropped Mbappe from their marketing campaigns.

Streaming platform Migu ‌omitted Real Madrid's match against Racing Santander last weekend ‌while showing other Spanish league games.

China Media Group said last week that it would listen to what Mbappe had to say after his apology, and "more importantly" watch what he does.

LaLiga president ‌Javier Tebas met Yao last week as Spanish football sought to limit the commercial ⁠fallout and ⁠said on Monday that the league was continuing its dialogue with Chinese authorities.

LaLiga was "working to resolve it", Tebas said at the World In Progress forum, adding that it continued to have an "extraordinary relationship" with CCTV and Migu.

LaLiga and Migu have an agreement allowing the broadcast of Spain's top division matches until the end of the 2029-30 season.

The LaLiga president said the league's broadcasting contracts with CCTV and Migu totaled around €10 million ($11.20 million) per year, having fallen from €100 million annually at their peak.

Real Madrid did not immediately respond to a request for comment.