Maria Sakkari’s impressive run at Indian Wells continues with undiminished intensity. The Greek champion, No. 7 in the world rankings, beat Petra Kvitova (No. 15) 2-1 (4-6, 7-5, 6-1) after 2 hours and 16 minutes and qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament . There she meets Aryna Sabalenka, number 2 in the world rankings, who previously won a 2-0 set against Coco Goff (6: 4, 6: 0).

Whether her fourth straight game in California was decided in the deciding set, whether she had to upset her again, whether she hit 40 unforced errors again (39 today), Sakkari’s mental game looks truly invincible in California !

The world No. 7 managed to improve many things in the game itself, with the first and best percentages in her service, but also… taming the excellent Kvitova for 1.5 sets, who seemed to be doing well on the pitch what she wanted.

In the first set, Sakkari suffered greatly from her service. With 38% first pass and only 44% points won (4/9) she could not have asked for anything more against a player who conceded 4 points from 1st serve (12/16) and with Guten Morgen (1-0).

In fact, things got even worse in the set when Kvitova found a second break (5-2) by taking the balls in her hands to end the set. However, Sakkari made it 5:3 with a breakback and a little later the 5:4 entry into the quarter-final equation, although Kvitova was finally able to get the set after 41 minutes.

With psychology at its peak, Sakkari gave her opponent no room in the third and final set, which she confidently won 6-1 and secured her ticket to the Indian Wells foursome.

Source: tennis24.gr