Maria Sakkari experienced some sort of a mini-drought in WTA 1000 events after having won the most crucial title of her career last autumn in Guadalajara. Over the following three matches, she achieved a 3-3 record.
Now the No. 9 seed is back in the familiar surroundings of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This is where she reached the final two years ago and currently has won three consecutive matches. The latest being her 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 comeback victory over Diane Parry on 13 march 2024 Wednesday. She is set to face No.23 Ema Navarro early today in a quarterfinal.
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Earlier, the 22-year-old American caused an upset by defeating No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Sakkari emerged victorious in their most recent encounter three weeks ago in Dubai, while Navarro won the first meeting last year in San Diego.
“This wasn’t the first time I came back from a break down in the third set,” Sakkari said in her on-court interview.
“I was just brave and went for it. And finally got the break back — and the match.”
Read More: Emma Navarro upsets Sabalenka in Indian Wells Masters
Maria Sakkari’s Recent Success Linked to Coach David Witt’s Influence
Granted, it’s a small sample. However, this recent success could be attributed to coach David Witt, who is working with Sakkari for the first time. David only became available after his former disciple Jessica Pegula decided to part ways following the Australian Open. After Sakkari and her Coach of 6 years, Tom Hill decided to go in different directions, Witt smartly moved on from one Top 10 player to another.
Players and coaches agree that a new perspective can often provide a player with a quick boost. When Pegula signed with Witt in the summer of 2019, she was ranked No. 79. But after their first event together, Pegula won her first WTA Tour title in Washington, D.C. Pegula rose to No.1 in doubles and No.3 in singles during their four-and a-half years together. Coco Gauff experienced this last summer, also in Washington, D.C., when Brad Gilbert joined her team.
About two hours before Wednesday’s match, Sakkari and Witt sat in the player dining area, conversing quietly with members of her team.
“I just feel very relaxed with David,” Sakkari told reporters Monday following a 6-3, 6-4 win over Caroline Garcia. “He’s very laid back. That’s something that really helps me, being a very stressful person. I think I haven’t really stressed for anything the last few days I have been with him.”
Also Read: Maria Sakkari Net Worth 2024, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Charities, Etc.