Indian Wells: Maria Sakkari has a final date with Iga Swiatek

Indian Wells, March 16

Maria Sakkari endured a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to stun the third seed 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in a rain-interrupted Indian Wells semifinal on Friday and set up an intriguing rematch of the 2022 title clash with Iga Swiatek.

19 Swiatek eased to a WTA Tour-leading 19th match win of the season. She hasn’t dropped a set in the Californian desert this year.

US Open champion Gauff looked far from her best early in the match as Sakkari drew first blood after a short rain delay by breaking the American third seed in the ninth game, before securing the opening set with ease.

The players were forced off the court for a longer spell as the showers returned at the start of the second set, but Sakkari picked up from where she left off when the action resumed and tightened her grip on the contest with a double break.

But Gauff was not done and the 20-year-old rediscovered her rhythm in the high-octane second set to save three match points and go level at 5-5, eventually forcing a tiebreak which she dominated to set up a decider.

Ninth seed Sakkari regrouped and showed her quality in the decisive points after swapping breaks with Gauff early in the third set to prevail in the late-night thriller.

“I don’t want to disrespect Coco, but it would have been amazing if this match was over an hour ago,” Sakkari said after the epic battle that lasted two hours and 41 minutes.

Top seed Swiatek earlier produced a near-flawless display in chilly, windy conditions to cruise past Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 and remain on track for her second title of the year.

“For sure I’m happy with the performance. I think it was the cleanest match I played here. The focus was high throughout. — Reuters