Ruthless Swiatek coasts to Indian Wells title
World number-one Iga Swiatek coasted to a 6-4 6-0 victory over Maria Sakkari to win the BNP Paribas Open final, having not dropped a set through the entire tournament.
In a repeat of the 2022 final at Indian Wells, Swiatek proved too strong and won her second WTA title of the year with a straightforward 6-4 6-0 success.
Swiatek, 22, never looked in trouble and once again showed why she has spent nearly two years atop the women’s rankings.
The Polish star raced into a lead as stars including Zendaya and Tom Holland watched on, sealing the opening set with a perfect forehand drive after Sakkari had briefly looked to fight back by breaking to level at 3-3.
The second set was even more of a one-sided affair as Greece’s Sakkari, beaten in the final two years ago 6-4 6-1, could not win a game this time around.
Swiatek needed just 20 minutes to wrap it up and now plots victory at the Miami Open.
“Every year I come here, I feel a really positive vibe,” she said on court following her latest success.
“I want to thank my team, for every little thing we work on, which ends up working. For sure we’re going to celebrate – many things to celebrate.”
