The quarter-final match with Iga was supposed to be the most difficult challenge during this year’s Indian Wells. After all, the American has recently triumphed in the WTA 250 competition in Adelaide, and in the California tournament she has dealt with her rivals very confidently. The reality, however, turned out to be completely different and the Polish woman managed to deal with the American in just 57 minutes, triumphing 6: 1, 6: 0.
The position of the vice-leader in the ranking is moving away. Iga Świątek’s rivals advanced to the semi-finals
Thanks to her victory, she was promoted to the Indian Wells semi-finals. Apart from that, there was a chance to be promoted to the second place in the WTA ranking. For a Polish tennis player it would be by far the best result in her career, because so far she was the fourth highest. It would thus equal the record of Agnieszka Radwańska, who was so far the highest-ranked Polish woman in history.
Although the Polish woman is close to this goal, not everything in terms of the ranking depends on Christmas. The matter got complicated during the night of Thursday to Friday, Polish time, when Paul Bados was promoted to the semi-finals. The Greek defeated Jelena Rybakina (7: 5, 6: 4) in the quarter-finals, and the Spaniard Wieronika Kudiermietowa (6: 3, 6: 2). Both tennis players also kept their chances of taking the runner-up position.
What has to happen for Iga Świątek to be second in the WTA ranking?
Currently, the WTA Live Polka ranking with the achievements of 5166 points is already second. However, both Paula Badosa and Maria Sakkari could come second in the event of a victory at Indian Wells. The Spaniard can have a maximum of 5400 points and will lose the chance for second place if Świątek advances to the final (then the 20-year-old will have 5426 points). Sakkari is still in the heat, with 5435 points in the event of a win.
It may turn out that the issue of triumph in the entire tournament and the position of the vice-leader in the ranking will be decided in the final between the Polish and the Greek. The best scenario would be the promotion of Świątek and Badosa. Then the Polish woman would be sure of the second place in the WTA ranking before the final.
In the semi-final in Indian Wells, Iga ¦wi ± tek will play against a Romanian (26th WTA) who smashed Croatian Petra Martić (79th WTA) 6: 1, 6: 1. This match is to be played at night from Friday to Saturday, Polish time.
Source: Sport
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