Badosa loses to Sakkari and will not be able to repeat the title at Indian Wells

Indian Wells (USA), 18 Mar Paula Badosa, reigning Indian Wells champion, lost this Friday in the semifinals to Greek Maria Sakkari and will not be able to repeat the title in the prestigious Californian desert tournament. Sakkari, more solid and superior to Badosa in most of the match, defeated the Spaniard 6-2, 4-6 and 6-1 in one hour and 48 minutes. After being crowned at Indian Wells in 2021 with the most important victory so far of her career, Badosa was this year on the verge of a historic double in Indian Wells that Martina Navratilova won only in 1990 and 1991. Far from the fabulous strength and tremendous solidity he had exhibited so far in the tournament, Badosa, seventh in the WTA standings, did not have his day, faced many problems with his service (7 double faults throughout the match) and was not at all comfortable against a very aggressive Sakkari when he could dominate with his right. The Greek, sixth in the world ranking, controlled the first set with authority, took a drop in the second that Badosa took advantage of to tie the match, but in the final sleeve she walked a right hand that gave her the ticket to the final on Sunday. Sakkari will face off for the Indian Wells title against Poland's Iga Swiatek, fourth in the world ranking and who today beat Romanian Simona Halep 7-6 (6) and 6-4 in the other semifinal in one hour and 49 minutes. Badosa, who until today had not lost a single set in this edition of Indian Wells, thus closes a streak of ten straight matches winning in Indian Wells counting last year's and this one. With Badosa already eliminated, the Spanish tennis options in Indian Wells now go exclusively through the men's team, where Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will meet on Saturday in the semifinals. CHIEF dvp/ics (photo)