(March 15, 2024) INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN, CA – Maria Sakkari outhit and outlasted Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 after blowing three match points in the second set of twice rain-delayed semifinal Friday night to reach the BNP Paribas Open women’s final.
Sakkari had a 6-4, 5-2 lead when Gauff made her move, claiming five out of the next six games leveling the match. Sakkari was broken to open the third set but upped her gear and continued to aim most balls at the American’s forehand.
“I knew from the beginning it was going to be very tough,” said the woman from Greece. “You know, a lot of things happened today. Rain delays. Obviously, you know, that second set could have been different, but I was thinking of that finish line too much, and then I was just thinking too much in that, you know, on how to close out the match. That didn’t really help me. It freaked me out a little bit. I was too nervous.
“But, you know, I’m very proud of myself that I kept my nerves, and then I just fought hard in that third set.”
Sakkari rallied from a break in the deciding set.
“I just told myself that the easy way out was just to give up in that third set, and I just wanted to challenge myself one more time and see what I can do after losing that second set.
“I also kept telling myself that you’re not the first or the last person that loses a set or a match — well, a set from being match points down, and, you know, that gave me strength.
“I just bought into the game style where I had to be more aggressive and, you know, mix it up a little bit. I think that I was too predictable in the end of that second set.
“I’m just, you know, happy that I was able to close that out.”
Sakkari will play world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in Sunday’s final. Swiatek demolished Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1 to improve to a WTA Tour leading 19-2 record this year.
Sakkari is now 5-3 versus third-ranked Gauff.
Sakkari on playing Swiatek:
“It’s actually pretty crazy that last time we played was two years ago. I would say we are very different two years ago both of us. That’s when her streak started or a few weeks before that.
“You know, having that lead doesn’t really mean anything, because she’s the best player right now in the world.
“I’m just going to, you know, try and keep that lead and stay, you know, two wins ahead of her, but it’s just going to be very, very tricky.”
“So it’s always different to see that player playing against other players and not yourself. But, you know, one thing I know for sure is just that she’s very good, I’m very good, and we’re just going to fight and try and win that tournament.
“Now, you know, it’s something I want to start thinking tomorrow. But as I said previously, it’s going to be very tough and very challenging, for sure.”
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