Sabalenka, Rybakina Headline Star-Studded Semifinal Friday at 2026 BNP Paribas Open

INDIAN WELLS, CA – The “Tennis Paradise” is reaching its fever pitch as the 2026 BNP Paribas Open enters the penultimate stage of the women’s singles draw. Friday, March 13th, promises a blockbuster lineup at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, featuring a collision of Grand Slam champions and rising stars under the desert sun and the evening lights of Stadium 1.

With the prestigious “Sunshine Double” hardware within reach, the semifinals are set to provide a masterclass in power hitting and tactical brilliance.

The Main Stage: Stadium 1 Headliners

The day’s marquee matches begin not before 4:00 PM PDT, featuring a high-stakes clash between world number one Aryna Sabalenka and the dangerous Linda Noskova.

Sabalenka has been in imperious form throughout the fortnight, utilizing her trademark aggressive baseline game to overpower opponents. However, in the 14th-seeded Noskova, she faces a player who has proven she isn’t intimidated by the big stage. Noskova, known for her flat hitting and calm demeanor, will look to replicate the giant-killing performances that have become her hallmark over the past year. Fans can expect a battle of heavy artillery, with the winner securing the first spot in Sunday’s championship final.

Following that clash, not before 6:00 PM PDT, the desert night will play host to a heavyweight bout between third seed Elena Rybakina and the ninth seed Elina Svitolina.

Rybakina, a former champion here, feels right at home in the dry, fast conditions of the Coachella Valley. Her clinical serve and effortless depth make her the favorite on paper, but Svitolina’s relentless defense and counter-punching ability have seen her through several grueling three-setters this week. This contrast in styles—Rybakina’s “ice-cold” precision versus Svitolina’s grit and tactical variety—is arguably the most anticipated match of the tournament thus far.

Doubles Drama: The Road to the Finals

Before the singles superstars take over, Stadium 1 will ignite at 11:00 AM PDT with the Men’s Doubles semifinals.

The opening act features the unseeded pairing of Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot taking on the formidable duo of Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson. Both teams have navigated a minefield of a draw to get here, and with a spot in the final on the line, nerves will surely play a factor.

They will be followed by the top seeds and world number ones, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. The veteran pair faces a tough test against Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard. Granollers and Zeballos are hunting for more silverware to cement their legacy, but the Andreozzi/Guinard tandem has shown incredible chemistry this week, making them a “dark horse” threat for an upset.

Mixed Doubles and More: Action on Stadium 3

Stadium 3 will be the place to be for fans of the Mixed Doubles format, starting at 11:00 AM PDT.

The highlight of the early session is the appearance of the fan-favorite “power couple” Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Entering as Wildcards, the Greek duo has electrified the crowds all week. They face a monumental task against the top-seeded pair of Gabriela Dabrowski and Lloyd Glasspool, who have looked nearly clinical in their progression through the draw.

The second Mixed Doubles semifinal will take place not before 1:30 PM PDT, featuring the all-Italian fourth seeds Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori against Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli. With Bencic’s championship pedigree and Cobolli’s youthful energy, this match promises high-octane exchanges at the net.

How to Watch and Attend

For those lucky enough to be onsite, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers an unparalleled fan experience, from the practice court viewing areas to the world-class dining options. For those following from home, the action will be broadcast live via official partners, ensuring you don’t miss a single point of this historic Friday the 13th.