With wind casting precision aside, Iga Swiatek adopts "winning ugly" in Indian Wells final win over Sakkari

A CHAT WITH THE CHAMP: Swiatek at the TC Desk

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—In swirling conditions, serves and nerves proved the telling factors in today’s BNP Paribas Open women’s singles final. Up against sixth-seeded Maria Sakkari, third-seeded Iga Swiatek’s disciplined footwork and the margin generated off her forehand made the difference. Following a tight first set that featured seven service breaks, Swiatek sprinted through the second to win, 6-4, 6-1.

“I actually think I kind of had to win ugly because I felt like sometimes the ball is not going the direction I want,” said Swiatek. “It was pretty hard to play with precision today.”

Significant data: Sakkari won only five of 29 points on her second serve—including just two in what proved the decisive first set. Serving at 4-5 in the opener, Sakkari fought off two set points, but in the third deuce of that game, double-faulted and then lined a backhand into the net. Addressing the wind’s effect on her serve, Sakkari said, “It was tough. I think that I also had a bad service day today. It wasn't my, you know, day just winning easy points and stuff. It was tough because one side you had to kick, the other side you have to hit more. You didn't know where to aim.”

For much of the first set, both players had many moments of sloppy play. Forehands flew wide, returns were missed, volleys poked. Perhaps the troika of a slow hard court, the wind, and a high-stakes title opportunity conspired to constrict each of them. Said Swiatek, “For sure you could see that we are, at the beginning, a little bit stressed, and the wind is also not helping. But I'm pretty glad that I played better and better every game, and I managed to somehow find little bit of balance even in these conditions.”

The telling difference, though, was the topspin Swiatek generated off her forehand—spin that often kept her shots safely in the court during many a tough moment. In contrast, Sakkari’s flat forehand, her technique so reliant on fine motor skills, repeatedly betrayed her. “Yeah, obviously it wasn't my day,” she said. “There's not much I can say about the way I played. I think there wasn't like a clear plan. There was a clear plan from my team, but I was not executing it the way I wanted. It was just not my day today.”

These two have been among the most successful WTA players of 2022. Swiatek will move up two spots in the rankings to No. 2, while Sakkari vaults from No. 6 to No. 3. Swiatek has now earned a tour-leading 20 match wins in ’22, Sakkari second with 16. It was also Swiatek’s 11th straight victory, the Pole last month taking the title in Doha. That run also included a semifinal win over Sakkari, Swiatek’s inaugural win over her after losing their first three.

Speaking of her matches versus Sakkari, Swiatek said, “I think it's going to be a great rivalry because I think we're going to stay here, honestly. We can show consistency and actually play these big matches against each other.”

In an era when many factors—perhaps the pandemic most of all—have kept many players from competing regularly, it’s understandable that these two have been so successful. Each is fit and dedicated. And while when it comes to making predictions, I’m a conscientious objector, Swiatek’s 2020 Roland Garros title run impressed me so much that I think she has the right mix of techniques, physicality and mental strength to be a significant contender at the majors for many years to come. Her play so far this year has further validated that assessment.