Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari – Semi-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 Indian Wells Masters
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THE FACTS
When is Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari on and what time does it start? Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari will take place on Saturday 19th March, 2022 – not before 02:15 (UK)
Where is Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari taking place? Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, USA
What surface is Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari being played on? Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari
What channel is Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari on in the UK? Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Paula Badosa vs Maria Sakkari live on Prime Video
THE LOWDOWN
PAULA BADOSA
24-year-old Paula Badosa beat Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of Indian Wells as the defending champion and she can regain her career-high WTA world ranking of fourth by reaching the final. The Spaniard was one of last season’s most improved players on tour but her jump from winning a first WTA title at the Serbia Open to a stunning first Masters title here in October was nothing short of outstanding. Badosa won her third career title at the Sydney Tennis Classic earlier this season.
MARIA SAKKARI
26-year-old Maria Sakkari has set a new career-high WTA world ranking of fifth in the live rankings table after beating in-form Elena Rybakina in straight sets on Thursday but she will need to beat Paula Badosa to hold on to it. The Greek is yet to drop a set this week at Indian Wells as she continues strong form that has seen her lose to the winner of her last two tournaments: finishing runner-up to Anett Kontaveit at the St. Petersburg Open and losing to Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open.
THE PREDICTION
This should be a thriller under the lights on Friday night at Indian Wells between defending champion Paula Badosa and in-form battler Maria Sakkari. Both players are yet to drop a set this campaign with Leylah Fernandez, Petra Kvitova and Elena Rybakina in their wake and whomever wins this match will either set or equal their career-high WTA world ranking. Badosa was the winner of their only previous meeting as she beat Sakkari in straight sets in the round robin of the WTA Finals to reach the semi-finals in Guadalajara before losing to eventual champion Garbine Muguruza. However, Sakkari also reached the semi-finals before defeat to the eventual runner-up Anett Kontaveit to show just how close these two are.
Her record at Indian Wells and 1-0 lead in their head-to-head suggests backing Badosa to come through outright is the right call here but taking the Spaniard to win at least a set would be a sensible concession.
