Maria Sakkari won against Coco Gauff in the 2024 Indian Wells Masters semifinal after a mammoth clash. She will play in the final of the BNP Paribas Open for the second time in her career and will now face Iga Swiatek. While she is looking forward to playing against her next opponent, she praises Gauff for being a vicious fighter and never giving up.

Gauff seemed sick at the start of the bout, which worried many of her fans. However, her performance after she returned ensured that she had recovered. She saved many match points, which made Sakkari respect her even more.

“I don’t want to disrespect Coco” – Maria Sakkari praises Coco Gauff following victory

Sakkari took the lead in the first set as she closed it 6-4. The rain had stopped their clash twice, but the second set continued normally and Sakkari seemed on the track to end it as well. However, Gauff managed to save several match points and came down from 2-5, to win the second set. Sakkari found a grip on her game to end set 3 6-2, sending Gauff packing, but not without showing her admiration.

“I don’t want to disrespect Coco but it would’ve been amazing if this match was over an hour ago 😂… I’m gonna take this win even though it was in 3 sets. You know I was thinking of that finish line in the second set. Things got tricky but that was an amazing win. Coco is such an amazing opponent. She’s incredible. She fights every point. I’m just so happy I’m in the final once again here. ”

Being the local favorite, the crowd cheered for Gauff throughout the entire night. While she lost the clash, she did not go down easy, as stated by Sakkari, who will now play against Iga Swiatek once again.

Sakkari gets a chance at revenge

The Greek player has a chance to serve the dish best-served cold to the WTA number 1. In 2022, Sakkari reached the finals of the Indian Wells for the first time in her career. She played against Swiatek, who showed her baking skills in the match, ending it 6-4, 6-1. Both players failed to meet each other in the 2023 BNP Paribas Open, but fate has not put the chance in Sakkari’s lap.

The 28-year-old has the perfect shot at revenge. The same title, the same stage and the same glory are up for grabs. Sakkari has likely dreamt of this moment day and night and fought with everything to make sure she will be the second finalist.

While she has shown fantastic performances in the last two weeks, Swiatek has also been a ridiculously dominating force. The chance of redemption is there, but Sakkari will have to put her best self forth to win the clash. Who will be the victor?