WTA Indian Wells: Iga Swiatek vs. Maria Sakkari - duel for number two
Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari have reached the final of the Indian Wells WTA 1000 event. In addition to winning the title, this is also about number two in the world rankings.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Mar 19, 2022, 07:42 pm
Barbora Krejcikova had to watch somewhat inactively as she was passed through in the next update of the world rankings. The Czech, currently number two in the tennis world, will only be fourth from Monday. With Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari, Krejcikova's first pursuers have reached the final in Indian Wells, while the Czech could not start due to injury. And the Czech overtaken in the world rankings.
Maria Sakkari stopped the defending champion Paula Badosa in three hard-fought sets to advance to the final on Friday. A success that also keeps the number two position in the world rankings within the realm of possibility for the Greek. One thing is certain: Whoever emerges as the winner of the final on Sunday will also be in second place in the WTA charts for the first time in her career from Monday.
Sakkari vs. Swiatek - Rematch from Doha
However, Sakkari does not want to be influenced too much by this fact in the run-up to the final, as she emphasized: "I still can't believe it. Eight months ago it was impossible to achieve that and now I'm only one win away I won't think about it because it was already a very good tournament," said Sakkari after her semi-final win over Badosa. It is still the goal of the 26-year-old to develop week by week.
For Iga Swiatek, however, Indian Wells is also about winning the second WTA 1000 title in a row. A few days ago, the Pole was able to win the trophy in Doha in an impressive manner, now the Pole is also in the final in California. In Doha, however, the Pole was able to celebrate her first success against her opponent in the final, Sakkari. In the semifinals, Swiatek came out on top in two sets. In Indian Wells on Sunday, however, there is much more at stake - also with regard to the world rankings.
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