Sakkari defeats Gauff to set up Swiatek final clash in Indian Wells

Maria Sakkari overcame Coco Gauff's spirited comeback to defeat the third seed 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in a rain-soaked Indian Wells semi-final on Friday, setting up an intriguing rematch of the 2022 title with Swiatek.

Gauff, the U.S. Open champion, looked far from her best early in the match, as Sakkari broke the American third seed in the ninth game after a brief rain delay, before easily winning the first set.

The players were forced to leave the court for a longer period of time as the showers returned at the start of the second set, but Sakkari picked up where she left off when play 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 tie the score at 5-5, eventually forcing a tie break that she dominated to set up a decider.

Sakkari, the ninth seed, regrouped and demonstrated her quality in the crucial points after trading breaks with Gauff early in the third set to win 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.

"I'm going to take this win even though it was in three sets. I was thinking of the finish line in the second set and then things got tricky. But that was an amazing 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 put on a near-flawless performance in chilly, windy conditions, defeating Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 and remaining 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 and I didn't have any doubts," said Swiatek, who has not dropped a set in the Californian desert this year.

"It's already a great tournament."

The 2022 champion made her intentions clear early on with an aggressive break to take a 2-1 lead, and she pulled away even more when Kostyuk committed a double fault two games later.

The 21-year-old Kostyuk lost the first set in 31 minutes and was tested again by world number one Swiatek at the start of the second set.

Swiatek was given another opportunity after a powerful shot at the goal. In the following game, the four-time Grand Slam champion held off some pressure from the 31st seed before cruising to a 3-0 lead.

Kostyuk appeared to be struggling with a left foot problem, and a medical timeout only delayed the inevitable, as Swiatek cruised to her WTA Tour-leading 19th match victory of the season, finishing with a forehand winner.

SportsLigue