In a thrilling semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open, Maria Sakkari managed to outlast Coco Gauff after a grueling battle that lasted three sets. Despite holding three match points in the second set, Sakkari found herself pushed to the limit by Gauff who fought back to force a tiebreaker before eventually losing the set.
Throughout the semifinal match, there were several interruptions due to rain delays, with the players having to wait for a total of 2 hours before the match could be completed. Sakkari initially took a commanding lead, breaking Gauff’s serve twice and going up 5-2 in the second set. However, Gauff managed to stage a comeback, winning four straight games and saving three match points to take the lead.
Despite facing tough resistance from Gauff, Sakkari showed great determination and resilience as she managed to break Gauff twice in the final set to secure a 6-2 victory. With her fourth match point, Sakkari closed out the match with a forehand winner, clinching her spot in the final against Iga Swiatek.
On the other side of the draw, top-ranked Iga Swiatek showcased her dominance by defeating Marta Kostyuk in straight sets. Swiatek’s impressive form this year has seen her win 19 out of 21 matches, making her the player to beat on the WTA Tour. With a stellar performance in the semis, Swiatek looks poised to challenge Sakkari in the final.
In the men’s doubles final, Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands emerged victorious against Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. The winning pair put on a strong display of teamwork and skill, claiming the title and splitting a substantial prize money.
Overall, the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open provided fans with high-quality tennis and thrilling moments as both Sakkari and Swiatek showcased their talents on the court. As the tournament heads into the final, all eyes will be on the clash between these two formidable opponents as they vie for the prestigious title.