INDIAN WELLS: Maria Sakkari needed three sets and four match points to get past US Open champion Coco Gauff on Friday, setting up a title clash with world number one Iga Swiatek at the ATP-WTA Indian Wells Masters.
In a match halted twice by rain, Greece’s ninth-ranked Sakkari squandered three match points in the second set but pulled away in the third to win 6-4, 6-7 , 6-2.For the second time in three years, she’ll take on Swiatek for the title after falling to the Polish star in 2022.
Sakkari returned and held serve before gaining the only break of the opening set, converting her fifth break point.The second set had barely begun when heavier rain halted play for two hours. When it resumed, Sakkari struck first, breaking an error-prone Gauff for 2-1 and again for a 5-2 lead.
“I don’t want to disrespect Coco but it would’ve been amazing if this match was over an hour ago,” Sakkari told the hardy fans who braved the cold night air and rain. It looked as if she had done just that as she put Kostyuk on the run early, piling on the pressure with her precision and power.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sakkari weathers Gauff storm to book Swiatek clash in Indian Wells finalINDIAN WELLS, March 15 — 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 semi-final today and...
Read more »
Swiatek dismantles Kostyuk to reach Indian Wells finalINDIAN WELLS, March 15 — Top seed Iga Swiatek produced a near-flawless performance to cruise past Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 and into the Indian Wells final today,...
Read more »
Alcaraz faces Medvedev for Indian Wells title after stopping Sinner streakINDIAN WELLS, March 17 — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz handed Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner his first defeat of 2024 on Saturday to set up an Indian Wells final...
Read more »
Alcaraz makes a beeline to semi-finalsINDIAN WELLS: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz fought off swarming bees and Alexander Zverev on Thursday to set up a semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells.
Read more »
Alcaraz rallies to beat Sinner and reach Indian Wells finalINDIAN WELLS, March 17 — Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz came from behind to beat Jannik Sinner 1-6 6-3 6-2 on Saturday to reach the Indian Wells final and end the Italian’s...
Read more »
Sinner relishes Alcaraz rivalry despite Indian Wells defeatINDIAN WELLS, March 17 — Jannik Sinner said he looks forward to battling Carlos Alcaraz for year to years to come, even after falling to the Spaniard in a thrilling three-set...
Read more »