© Getty Images Sport – Matthew Stockman
Maria Sakkari was straight honest in her press conference after upsetting Coco Gauff, admitting her win over the 2023 US Open champion would not have happened six months ago.
On Friday evening in Indian Wells, world No. 9 Sakkari survived two rain delays and Gauff saving three match points before completing a 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-2 win. After suffering two straight-set defeats to Gauff last year – including the one in the Washington final – Sakkari got her revenge on the American in the desert.
For Gauff, it was her first loss on the American hard courts since 2023 Miami – last summer, the 20-year-old American won titles in Washington, Cincinnati and the US Open. While Gauff was dominating on the American hard courts last summer, Sakkari had a couple of early exits after losing in the Washington final, including a US Open first-round loss after which the Greek burst into tears.
After beating Gauff in Indian Wells, Sakkari was asked if this win could have happened six months ago.
“Against Coco? No. Straightforward no (smiling),” Sakkari admitted.
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