Maria Sakkari beat US Open champion Coco Gauff in a rain-hit match to arrange an Indian Wells ultimate in opposition to world primary Iga Swiatek.
Greece’s Sakkari let a 5-2 second-set lead slip however regrouped to beat third seed Gauff 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2.
Rain held up play in California in the midst of the primary set and once more at the beginning of the second.
Poland’s Swiatek earlier wanted simply 65 minutes to beat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-1.
Sunday’s ultimate might be a rematch of the 2022 showpiece, which Swiatek received in straight units.
Swiatek is bidding for her second title of the 12 months after successful the Qatar Open, whereas Sakkari is aiming for her first.
Whereas Swiatek is but to drop a set on this 12 months’s match, Sakkari needed to go the space in opposition to American Gauff, lacking three match factors within the second set.
Gauff dominated the ensuing tie-break and broke within the first sport of the third set earlier than Sakkari regrouped.
The ninth seed instantly rescued the break and received 4 video games in a row to take a 4-1 lead.
Gauff served to remain within the match at 5-2 down however, regardless of saving one other match level, was unable to carry off Sakkari.
“I do not wish to disrespect Coco however it will’ve been superb if this match was over an hour in the past,” Sakkari joked afterwards.
“Coco is such an incredible opponent. I am simply so joyful I am within the ultimate as soon as once more right here.”
Within the males’s draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz performs Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner within the final 4 from 19:00 GMT, adopted by final 12 months’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev in opposition to dwelling hope Tommy Paul within the second semi-final.
