Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the Indian Wells quarter-finals on Tuesday after an impressive performance against Naomi Osaka.
The pair, who were meeting for the first time on Tour since the 2018 US Open, both have four Grand Slam titles to their names.
On Tuesday, it was Sabalenka who prevailed, serving eight aces on her way to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the Japanese star.
The Belarusian will face Victoria Mboko in the quarter-finals. Mboko, the 2025 Canadian Open champion, defeated Amanda Anisimova in the round of 16.
Ahead of the contest with Mboko, Sabalenka revealed what she ‘loves’ about the Canadian’s game.
Aryna Sabalenka loves how aggressive Victoria Mboko’s game is
Speaking to reporters after the match, Sabalenka was asked about her Victoria Mboko and Amanda Anisimova: her two prospective quarter-final opponents.
I love that they [are] aggressive,” Sabalenka said of Mboko and Anisimova. “I feel that both of them are fighters.
Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek… who do you prefer? 🤔
“I played a lot of matches against Amanda, just one against Mboko, but it’s been tough battles against both.
“It’s been really aggressive tennis. It’s been fun playing both. I’m super excited facing [Mboko or Anisimova]. Doesn’t matter who’s gonna win the match.”
Sabalenka and Mboko met in the Australian Open fourth round earlier this year. Sabalenka defeated Mboko 6-1, 7-6, before going on to reach the final in Melbourne.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Mboko at the 2026 Australian Open
| Statistical Area | Sabalenka | Mboko |
| Aces | 6 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 3 |
| First Serve Percentage | 68 | 67 |
| First Serve Points Won [%] | 64 | 50 |
| Second Serve Points Won [%] | 59 | 47 |
| Break-point Conversion | 4/5 | 2/6 |
Mboko, who has emerged as a rising star on the WTA Tour over the past year, admitted that she is excited to play the world number one again.
“I am excited to play number one in the world,” Mboko said in an interview broadcast on the Tennis Channel. “I played her at the Australian Open and it was a really great match.
“Of course, I know what to expect. She hits a really great ball. But I’m up for the challenge and it’s going to be a really fun match. I am looking forward to it.”
Rick Macci makes bold Mboko rankings prediction
Macci, the former coach of Serena and Venus Williams, is a big fan of Mboko; and he has predicted that the Canadian will win a Grand Slam title during her career.
The American has also tipped Mboko to achieve a significant rankings feat by the end of 2026.
On X [formerly Twitter], Macci said: “Mboko because of her firepower and athletic ability will be a Grand Slam Champion sooner than later. She can play thru you and has no fear and will be top 5 by the end of the year.”
Who has impressed you the most?
Mboko recently broke into the WTA top 10 for the first time and is set to rise one place to world number nine due to her performance in California, overtaking Mirra Andreeva.
Mboko is quickly establishing herself as the best young star on the WTA Tour, and despite her young age, she will most probably be a key contender for Grand Slam titles this year.
