Swiatek downs Kostyuk in Indian Wells semi, Sakkari shocks Gauff to reach final

Iga Swiatek beat Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1 on Friday to set up an Indian Wells final against Maria Sakkari, who shocked Coco Gauff in her semi-final.

Swiatek is yet to drop a set in the tournament as she looks to stretch her lead at the top of the world rankings, after Aryna Sabalenka was the subject of an upset in the third round earlier this week when she was knocked out by Emma Navarro.

The Pole broke her Ukrainian rival early on to go 2-1 clear, and a Kostyuk double fault two games later allowed for another break as she went a set up.

Swiatek then moved 3-0 clear in the second set as her opponent looked to be having a problem with her left foot, which required a medical timeout, and from there Swiatek was ruthless in wrapping up a routine victory.

“For sure I’m happy with the performance. I think it was the cleanest match I played here. It’s already a great tournament,” Swiatek said after the win.

Sakkari, meanwhile, defeated home favourite Gauff in a more balanced affair, as she won 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in a match beset by rain delays, belying the tournament’s moniker as the first of the ‘Sunshine Swing’.

The Greek took the opening set and was 5-2 clear in the second but Gauff rallied hard and forced a tie-break which she then clinched.

Sakkari then re-grouped in the third to ultimately seal it with some comfort.

“I don’t want to disrespect Coco but it would’ve been amazing if this match was over an hour ago,” Sakkari said afterwards about the interruptions.

“Coco is such an amazing opponent. I’m just so happy I’m in the final once again here.”

Swiatek v Sakkari will be a re-run of the 2022 final, which the Pole won in straight sets.

For the world No. 1, it is a chance to win her second title of the season after securing the Qatar Open, while Sakkari – ranked No. 9 – has yet to lift a trophy in 2024.