Sakkari weathers Gauff storm to achieve Indian Wells ultimate

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 on Friday and arrange a rematch of the 2022 title conflict with Iga Swiatek.

US Open champion Gauff seemed removed from her finest early within the match as Sakkari drew first blood after a brief rain delay by breaking the American third seed within the ninth recreation, earlier than securing the opening set with ease.

The gamers have been pressured off the court docket for an extended spell because the showers returned firstly of the second set, however Sakkari picked up from the place she left off when the motion resumed and tightened her grip on the competition with a double break.

But Gauff was not executed and the 20-year-old rediscovered her rhythm within the high-octane second set to avoid wasting three match factors and go degree at 5-5, ultimately forcing a tie break which she dominated to arrange a decider.

Ninth seed Sakkari regrouped and confirmed her high quality within the decisive factors after swapping breaks with Gauff early within the third set to prevail within 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 mentioned after the epic battle that lasted two hours and 41 minutes.

“I’m going to take this win despite the fact that it was in three units. I used to be pondering of the end line within the second set after which issues acquired difficult. But that was a tremendous win.

“Coco is such an amazing opponent. She’s incredible. She fights for every point. I’m just so happy I’m in the final once again here.”

Top seed Swiatek earlier produced a near-flawless show in chilly, windy situations to cruise previous Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 and stay on observe for her second title of the 12 months.

“For sure I’m happy with the performance. I think it was the cleanest match I played here. The focus was high throughout and I didn’t have any doubts,” mentioned Swiatek, who has not dropped a set within the Californian desert this 12 months.

The 2022 champion made her intentions clear early on with an aggressive begin to break for a 2-1 lead and pulled additional away when Kostyuk hit a double fault two video games later.

The 21-year-old Kostyuk surrendered the opening set in 31 minutes and was put by the wringer once more by world primary Swiatek firstly of the second set.

A robust smash on the web gave Swiatek one other break. The four-times Grand Slam champion withstood some strain from the thirty first seed within the subsequent recreation earlier than constructing a 3-0 benefit.

Kostyuk appeared to wrestle with a left foot drawback and a medical timeout solely delayed the inevitable, as Swiatek eased to a WTA Tour-leading nineteenth match win of the season, ending off the match with a forehand winner.