Sakkari: “One of the biggest comebacks of my career”

Maria Sakkari in the most impressive turnaround she has done in a long time, as she declared, prevailed with a 2-1 set against Petra Kvitova and qualified for the semi-finals of Indian Wells, where she will face Arina Shamalenka.

“She is one of the players I respect the most“, the Greek champion initially said about her Czech opponent in her on court interview.

“She has won so many titles, but above all she is an amazing girl, a very good person. She’s not just a great tennis player, it’s her personality, everything she’s been through in her career, I respect her a lot and I’m sure everyone in the locker room respects her as much as I do».

Sakkari then spoke about how she got into the game: “Yes, it was one of the biggest comebacks of my career because not only was I down a set and a break, but he made me play like an amateur in the first set. He played very well. I had to try to focus on different things, look at the other side of the net and see what I can do best to put her in an uncomfortable position. I think it worked, I tried to play more physical and all I can say is I need a pedicure because my toes are bloody».

Regarding her next opponent, she underlined: “She is a different player compared to the last time we met. He recently won a slam, he is confident. I saw part of her match today and she was hitting the ball hard, I heard from the commentators that she only had nine rallies with over nine shots in the whole match. It will be tough, another big hitter. All I can do is try to find solutions. I haven’t played my best tennis yet, but I’m in the semi-finals. Spiritually I am very well and I am here to stay until the end».

“She’s one of the players that I respect the most. She’s won so many titles, but above all, she’s an amazing girl. She’s a very good person.”

–@mariasakkari on @Petra_Kvitova pic.twitter.com/Iew6GODyFg

— wta (@WTA) March 16, 2023