Poland's Swiatek conquers Indian Wells and will rise to world number two

Extending a spectacular start to the season, the young Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek defeated Greek Maria Sakkari on Sunday in the final of the Indian Wells tournament, in the WTA 1000 category, and will rise to number two in the world ranking.

The men's final, in the Masters 1000 category, was then played between the Spaniard Rafael Nadal and the American Taylor Fritz.

On Sunday, the first to celebrate at the second largest tennis court in the world (16,000 seats) was Poland's Swiatek, a rising figure in women's tennis since her notorious win at Roland Garros in 2020.

Swiatek, current number four in the WTA, beat Sakkari (6th) 6-4 and 6-1 in a final hit by the strong wind in desert Indian Wells (California).

At the age of 20, Swiatek won the fifth title of her career, second this year, and succeeded Spaniard Paula Badosa in the Indian Wells record.

“It's crazy. I honestly didn't expect to be in this position, especially after playing so well in previous tournaments,” said an excited Swiatek, who had just won in February in Doha, the first WTA 1000 event of the season.

“I didn't know I could play so well for so long,” said Warsaw tennis player, who eliminated veteran Simona Halep in the semifinals and former world number one Angelique Kerber in the round of 16.

The first Polish tennis player to succeed in the Coachella Valley brought out her talent to better adapt to the conditions of the court, where there was a strong wind as in the men's semifinal on Saturday between Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

For Sakkari, 26, it was the first major final of his career after falling in 2021 in the semifinals of Roland Garros and the US Open.

“You are a great champion,” Sakkari told the winner. “Today was not my day, it was a lot of emotions to play here. It's one of the best tournaments in the world, it will have a special place in my heart.”

The match also defined which of the two finalists beat Czech Barbora Krejcikova in number two in the world ranking, who lost last minute due to an elbow injury.

Swiatek became the second Polish tennis player to reach world number two since Agnieszka Radwanska won in 2012, while Sakkari will reach number three for the first time in her career.

The number one in the current ranking, Australia's Ashleigh Barty, declined to compete in Indian Wells and the Miami Open which starts next week to recover physically after her victory at the Australian Open.

Swiatek also thanked for his “solidarity with Ukraine” during the awards ceremony on the central court, where the flag of that country has flown throughout the tournament in support of the Russian government's invasion.

- Nadal in front of Fritz -

Under the sun and the desert wind, both tennis players started the game by dividing three service breaks each.

The young Swiatek remained calm under these conditions while Sakkari resented that she was unable to take advantage of her powerful service, the best weapon in her arsenal.

In the last game he saved two set balls but, with a double fault, he conceded a third and final one for Swiatek to take the set in 45 minutes.

In the second round, the wind increased, making it difficult for the finalists to perform the service, the best weapon in Sakkari's arsenal.

The muscular Greek player was looking for the confidence she had in the semifinal against Badosa but in the fourth game she handed her serve and ended up leaving the final without a single 'ace'.

“Today was crazy about the conditions, but I want to congratulate Maria. I think we have started a great rivalry and that we will play more finals,” Swiatek acknowledged him.

In the men's final, Rafael Nadal (4th ATP) will look to win his 21st straight match this season and his fourth Indian Wells trophy against local idol Taylor Fritz (20th), who will play his first Masters 1000 final.