Maria Sakkari (6th in the world) advanced to the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells on Thursday, defeating Kazakhstan Elena Rybakina (20th) 7-5, 6-4.
The Greek, who had never passed the age of 16 in the California desert, will face in the last four the Spaniard Paula Badosa (7th in the world), the defender of the champion or the Russian Veronika Kudermetova (24th).
Despite a slim start, with 3-0 from an opponent who had beaten them in their first match, in 2020, in the semifinals of the St. Petersburg tournament, Sakkari managed to overtake (4-4) before taking back the opposite serve for a second time by being the most aggressive in exchanges.
In the second set, the Greek, in search of a second title in the women’s circuit after the Rabat tournament in 2019, first had to save four break points, before rejoicing Ribakina’s serve in the next game. After that, she easily kept that advantage to win at 1:40, in her third match.
Fernandez in double action
Despite being eliminated in the singles, Leylah Fernandez continues her journey in the doubles today.
Quebecer will play the semifinal with Alizé Cornet this afternoon, with the Chinese Zhaoxuan Yang and Yifan Xu.
In the other semifinal, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Mexico’s Giuliana Olmos, fifth seed, face No. 7 in Asia Muhammad and Ena Shibahara.
