Iga Swiatek cruises to BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells

Iga Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-0 in just over an hour to collect the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, with the world’s top-ranked woman losing just 21 games in six matches during the 12-day tournament.

Swiatek improved to 20-2 this year, with her wins leading the WTA Tour. She easily hoisted the 40-pound crystal trophy as the streamers cascaded onto the court.

It was a repeat of the 2022 final, in which Swiatek defeated Sakkari 6-4, 6-1. Sakkari hasn’t defeated the Polish star since 2021.

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“Hard to compare because I remember that last time I was coming as world number two,” Swiatek said in a Tennis Channel interview. “A lot has happened since then.”

Swiatek raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set.

Sakkari recovered to win three consecutive games, including a break of Swiatek. She served a love game to tie it, 4-4. Swiatek lost just two points on her serve the rest of the set, wrapping it up with a forehand winner in the corner.

Swiatek was more dominant in the second set, breaking Sakkari three times all in love games.

She became just the third woman to earn a 6-0 set in the Indian Wells final, along with Steffi Graf and Lindsay Davenport.

Swiatek hit 15 winners and had 11 unforced errors in the 1 hour, 8-minute match. She also won 76% of her first serve points and won five of the eight break points against Sakkari.

Sakkari had eight winners and 18 unforced errors.

“Sorry I couldn’t put on a better fight,” Sakkari told the crowd that included actors Charlize Theron, Tom Holland and Zendaya.

Swiatek earned $1.1 million for the victory, less than the $1.26 million she made in 2023. This year more prize money was allocated to the earlier rounds, reducing the champions’ prize money by nearly 13%.

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