Rybakina has continued that late 2025 form into early 2026, her best results of the year so far being her run to the title in Melbourne, as well as another final at Indian Wells, where she actually held match point against Aryna Sabalenka before finishing runner-up to the world No. 1 in a third set tie-break, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6).
After Indian Wells, Rybakina rose to No. 2.
And although she’s still 2,917 points behind Sabalenka at the moment, 11,025 to 8,108, it’s very possible that she could challenge her for the top ranking during the upcoming clay-court season.
Sabalenka is defending 2,840 points during this year’s clay-court season, which includes champion’s points in Madrid and finals points at both Stuttgart and Roland Garros, while Rybakina is only defending 870 points, the bulk of which come from the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg, where she won the title last year.
