Iga Swiatek shoots after defeating Maria Sakkari in the third round of the women’s singles at the BNP Paribas Open on March 9, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Iga Swiatek and Greece’s Maria Sakkari have met in the finals of the 2022 and 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, with the Polish star winning in straight sets each time.
The same pattern was repeated on Monday. Top seed Swiatek defeated 32nd seed Sakkari 6-3, 6-2.
“We’ve played two finals here, so it’s fun to see us play in the third round two years later,” Swiatek said. “So it was definitely not an easy race. I’m really happy with the result.”
Swiatek arrived in Indian Wells after playing only one of two WTA 1000 events in the Middle East following the Australian Open. He lost to Sakkari in the quarterfinals held in Doha, Qatar.
Regarding training at home in Poland for the tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Swiatek said: “I felt like I needed time on the practice court as well. Remember that Australia got pushed back so I had a week shortened between tournaments to be able to practice. Yeah, I felt like I could have a really solid training block in Warsaw. That always helps.”
She returned in time for Indian Wells, where she posted a stellar record. Swiatek is the first WTA player to advance to the round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open for six consecutive years since 2014.
Swiatek’s fourth-round opponent will be 13th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. He defeated Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic 6-0, 6-3.
Defending champion Mira Andreyeva (Russia) failed to escape in the third round, losing to Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3.
The 2-hour, 48-minute marathon included a total of 42 break points and seven service breaks per athlete.
“I think you could tell in the game that I tried to slow down,” Siniakova said. “Yes, I’m so glad I finished it. I’m definitely feeling it in my body.”
5th seed Jessica Pegula (USA) edged 26th seed Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, but two other American players lost that day.
Ninth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated Ashlyn Kruger 6-4, 6-2, and England’s Sonai Kartal defeated 15th-seeded Madison Keys 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Belinda Bencic (Switzerland), seeded 12th, defeated Elise Mertens (Belgium), seeded 22nd, 6-2, 6-3.
In the final match of the night, third-seeded Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) was scheduled to face 28th-seeded Marta Kostiuk (Ukraine).
–Field level media
