Two-time champion Iga Swiatek secured a 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 32 seed Maria Sakkari, progressing to the fourth round of the Indian Wells Open. Swiatek has now become the first woman to reach the Round of 16 for six consecutive years at Indian Wells since Agnieszka Radwanska and Carolina Wozniacki achieved this between 2008-2014.
Since the format’s inception in 2009, Swiatek (129-31, .806) ranks second only to Serena Williams (148-28, .841) in winning percentage at WTA-1000 events, with a minimum of 10 matches, according to WTA statistics. Sakkari displayed efficiency by winning all her service games and saving six out of six break points.
In a display of dominance, Swiatek broke Sakkari’s serve three times in the second set, ultimately winning the match. Notably, Swiatek has only suffered one loss in her past 34 matches against opponents ranked outside the Top 20, which was against Sakkari in the Doha quarterfinals last month.
American Jessica Pegula staged a comeback from a one-set deficit against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, securing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory to advance to the round of 16. Pegula, who has never progressed beyond the quarterfinal round in her seven previous appearances in California, is determined to change this statistic.
Pegula is set to face No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic in the fourth round, with Bencic defeating Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 to secure her spot in the round of 16 for the fourth time.
