2024-03-16 08:08:28
The world number one will face the Greek in the final of the Californian WTA 1000 following their victories over Marta Kostyuk and Coco Gauff respectively.
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Iga Swiatek held her place on Friday March 15 by qualifying for the final of the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells. The world number one dominated Marta Kostyuk (6-2, 6-1), present in the last four of such a prestigious tournament for the first time in her career. The Ukrainian appeared a little overwhelmed by the events, and by the metronomic level of her opponent. Swiatek will meet the Greek Maria Sakkari in the final, the same poster as the 2022 final, the year of the Pole’s first title in Indian Wells.
The leader of the WTA rankings continued, like her immaculate start to the tournament, which did not see her lose a set. Swiatek did not concede a single break point, and committed only six faults – almost four times fewer than her opponent (23) – in 1h09 of play. Powerful as usual, Iga Swiatek appeared with total confidence, she who struggling to find consistency since the start of the season. The 22-year-old was notably eliminated in the third round of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, the Australian Open, by the 50th world player Linda Noskova, or even exited in the semi-final of her last tournament, in Dubai, by Russian qualifier Anna Kalinskaya.
Swiatek left only three games to her opponent, also injured in the foot in the second set. With only 17 games conceded since the start of the tournament, no one has done better since Serena Williams in 2001. She will play the tenth final of her career in WTA 1000, the second at Tennis Paradise following the 2022 edition.
In fact, she will find the same opponent as two years ago, the Greek Maria Sakkari. The latter dominated Coco Gauff in the other semi-final, following a tighter match (6-4, 6-7 [7-5], 6-2) and interrupted twice not by bees like the day before but by the rain. The number 9 seed of the tournament was more consistent, and above all more opportunistic, converting six of his twelve break points.
Sakkari, who earlier in the tournament had dismissed the French Caroline Garcia in the 3rd round, then Diane Parry in the round of 16, had not beaten a player in the Top 3 in the world since 2022 and seems to be regaining the confidence which had taken him so far. ‘in 3rd place in the WTA rankings two years ago. Year during which she might do nothing to prevent Iga Swiatek from winning 6-4, 6-1 in the Indian Wells final, before a possible revenge on Sunday.
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