Sakkari was defeated by the senior Sambalenka and left out of the final in Indian Wells

He was eliminated in his semi-final stage Indian Wells the Maria Sakkari.

The leading Greek tennis player experienced the defeat with 2-0 sets (6-2, 6-3) from number 2 in the world ranking, Arina Sabalenkawhich had a terrific night and showed its quality.

The match started half an hour late, due to technical problems with the pitch microphones and the hawk eye.

Sambalenka started the match perfectly with two aces and a love game, while she broke for 3-1, before Sakkari also broke her opponent’s serve, reducing to 2-3. However, the Belarusian fired back with her impressive returns, eventually taking the set with 6-2.

A @mariasakkari strike ??#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/4pqvvWnTP1

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2023

Mr. The. Line. ??@mariasakkari | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/8sxdK65IK7

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2023

Sambalenka continued to press in the second set, easily taking the first game and breaking for 2-0, before Sakkari responded with a break of her own to level the score at 2-2.

jump shot ??@mariasakkari | #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/bRjwWV1eFQ

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2023

However, Sabalenka stopped Sakkari’s counter-attack, surviving for 3-2 and making another break for 4-2, eventually qualifying with the final 6-3 in the second set.

Unstoppable Aryna ??@SabalenkaA improves to 17-1 on the season to reach a first Indian Wells final defeating Sakkari 6-2, 6-3.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/GGk5GibZQX

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023