4Photo© sports.ndtv.comMaria Sakkari expecting 'tricky' final against Iga Swiatek
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World number one Iga Swiatek powered past Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-0 on Sunday to claim her second Indian Wells WTA title two years after she beat Sakkari for her first. The rematch of the 2022 championship showdown produced an almost identical outcome, as four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek dominated the second set to seize her 19th career title and her second of 2024.
Sakkari, ranked ninth in the world, battled gamely through the opening set, erasing a break and saving two break points in the final game before Swiatek delivered a blistering forehand winner to pocket the set after 44 minutes.
It would take just 24 more minutes for the Polish star to wrap things up. She broke Sakkari at love for a 2-0 lead and rolled to the finish.
“ I'm sorry I couldn't put up a better fight,
Maria Sakkari,
Iga Swiatek downs Maria Sakkari to win second Indian Wells title
“ Sorry I couldn’t put on a better fight,
Maria Sakkari,
Swiatek swamps Sakkari 6-4, 6-0 to win Indian Wells title for Tour…
“ 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,
Maria Sakkari,
Maria Sakkari expecting 'tricky' final against Iga Swiatek
“ We always say in tennis one day can change everything, but a month ago I was in Abu Dhabi, I couldn't hit a ball over the net, and now I'm just here in one of the biggest tournaments playing another…
Maria Sakkari,
Maria Sakkari expecting 'tricky' final against Iga Swiatek
“ Having that lead [in the head-to-head] doesn't really mean anything, because she's the best player right now in the world. I'm just going to try and keep that lead and stay two wins ahead of her, but…
Maria Sakkari,
Maria Sakkari expecting 'tricky' final against Iga Swiatek