March 21, (THEWILL) – Iga Swiatek’s hot streak continued in the final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, when she defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1.
It was a victory that pushed Swiatek to number two in the world ranking, after winning back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. The 20-year-old, therefore, becomes only the second Pole to do it after her compatriot Agnieszka Radwanska.
Swiatek defeated Sakkari on the way to the victory in Doha last month, and after a rocky start, she proved too strong for the Greek professional tennis player once more.
Serving was tough in the windy circumstances, and there were numerous interruptions in the first set.
Swiatek’s two double faults in the first game allowed Sakkari to break to love. But, Sakkari’s double faults proved contagious, as she threw one in at break-point to surrender the lead she had gained.
Swiatek produced some massive hitting – coupled with an ace – to put the game out of reach in the fifth game.
Swiatek broke serve for the third time in a row after back-to-back double faults from Sakkari, but the Greek broke back to love. With a couple of love holds, the pair of finalists appeared to be settling into the match, but Swiatek took the set in the tenth game.
Sakkari appeared to be able to save set point with a superb crosscourt forehand on the run. The Greek gifted the Pole another chance with a double fault, and despite fending it off with a big serve, Swiatek took the set at the third time of asking when her opponent hit a backhand into the net.
Swiatek made a worrying double fault in the third game of the second set, her second serve missing the target by approximately three feet, but when she fought back to hold; it put an end to a Sakkari comeback.
Despite some great hitting, Sakkari was too vulnerable on serve, and two double faults in the fourth game of the second set gave Swiatek the advantage and seemed to sap Sakkari’s confidence.
Swiatek followed up her break with a love hold to take the second set 4-1. The Pole stepped up and broke for a 5-1 lead with the cushion of a break against an opponent she had just beaten.
The Pole overcame her serving troubles in the second set, winning with an outside-in forehand down the line and throwing her racket in the air in delight before heading to her box to celebrate her fifth career title.
Swiatek is definitely on the rise having won a Grand Slam at such a young age, going on an 11-match winning streak, and now being ranked number two in the world.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
