Aryna Sabalenka has been on fire, surpassing even the ATP stars with her power game. At the 2024 US Open, her average forehand speed was more than the speed registered by the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic. Sabalenka’s topspin forehand speed at the tournament hit 129 km/h, putting her ahead of Alcaraz (127 km/h), Sinner (126 km/h), and Djokovic (122 km/h). That kind of ball striking from a woman is next-level. There’s a reason she calls herself “the tigress”. And it’s no surprise that Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci has taken notice.

Sabalenka’s aggressive playstyle is her signature weapon. The World number 1 dominates opponents by picking the trajectory of the ball early and hitting it hard, leaving them scrambling for answers. And at the Indian Wells tournament, she showed exactly why she’s World No. 1. Facing Madison Keys, she avenged her Australian Open final loss in a ruthless 6-0, 6-1 demolition. It was one of her most dominant performances this season.

Macci had high praise for Sabalenka’s game. “Sabalenka and her elite ball striking takes away time like no other player on tour. When she gets you on the Run most players are Done. You have to be able to motor and Defend or against Belarus Bomber it is the End,” the veteran coach wrote on X.

However, let’s not forget that last time, Keys had an answer for the 26-year-old tennis star’s fierceness. In that match, Sabalenka met her match in raw power. During the final game, Keys hit a forehand at a staggering 137 km/h and a backhand at 131 km/h. That extra pace helped her secure a crucial game and, eventually, the title. Sabalenka simply could not do anything about it.

Next up at the Indian Wells, though, Sabalenka faces 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who has been on a roll. The Russian teenager already won a WTA 1000 title in Dubai, where she stunned the world number two in the quarterfinals. Andreeva is riding an 11-match winning streak and is proving she belongs at the top level.

But, can Andreeva handle Sabalenka’s relentless forehand? That’s the big question heading into the Indian Wells final.

Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva to clash at the Indian Wells finals

Aryna Sabalenka made quick work of Keys in their rematch, needing just 51 minutes to book her spot in the championship match. This win meant a lot to her. “That Australian Open match was really heartbreaking for me, and I really needed some time to recover after that,” Sabalenka admitted. “And if I would lose today again, it would get in my head and I didn’t want that to happen. I was really focused, so I was just really hungry to get this win against Madison.”

Her opponent, Mirra Andreeva, however, is also making waves. She has already taken down the world number two Iga Swiatek twice in as many months – including in Dubai – where she eventually became the youngest-ever WTA 1000 champion. In the Indian Wells semifinals again, Andreeva overcame the tough challenge of the Pole, beating her 7-6 (7-1), 1-6, 6-3.

However, the Belarusian powerhouse holds the clear head-to-head advantage. She has beaten Andreeva four times in five meetings. This season alone, she dominated their matches in Brisbane (6-3, 6-2) and the Australian Open (6-1, 6-2). Andreeva’s only victory against Sabalenka came on clay at last year’s French Open, where she battled back to win 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 and reach her first Grand Slam semifinal.

The World No.1 is playing her third final of the season, chasing her second title of the year and 19th career trophy. This is also her second time reaching the Indian Wells final, having finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina last year. A win on Sunday would secure her eighth WTA 1000 title and her first since lifting the Wuhan trophy last fall.

Will Aryna Sabalenka’s power be too much for Mirra Andreeva, or will the teenager pull off another upset? Share your thoughts in the comments below.