Maria Sakkari (Image Credit: WTA - Twitter)
7th seed Maria Sakkari takes on America’s Shelby Rogers in the round of 64 of the 2023 Indian Wells on Friday.
The Greek star has blown hot and cold this season. She played a pivotal role in guiding Greece to the semifinals of the United Cup. In the Australian Open, she was expected to have a deep run but she couldn’t progress beyond the third round. Sakkari made back-to-back semifinals in the Linz Open and the Qatar Open.
Prior to Indian Wells, Sakkari played in the Dubai Tennis Championships. She was ousted in the round of 32 by Karolina Pliskova. Last year, Sakkari had a great campaign in Indian Wells as she reached the finals where she lost to Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
The 30-year-old progressed from the qualifiers into the main draw in Adelaide International 1 and Adelaide International 2. However, she couldn’t progress beyond the first round in both tournaments. Rogers played in the Australian Open where her campaign ended in the second round. The Abu Dhabi Open followed where Rogers produced her best result of the season, reaching the quarterfinals. In Dubai, she lost to Ana Bogdan in the second round.
In Indian Wells, Rogers picked up an impressive win against compatriot Katie Volynets in the round of 128. The former won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Shelby Rogers has had Maria Sakkari’s number as far as their head-to-head encounters are concerned. The American star leads 3-0 with her most recent win against the Greek sensation coming at the 2022 Silicon Valley Classic in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
Prediction: Maria Sakkari to win in straight sets.
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