Coco Gauff defeated Maria Sakkari to reach the Indian Wells round of 16 and it was a significant win for American tennis.
Playing one of her latest two matches before her 21st birthday, the World number three produced a much improved performance to reach the fourth round at the WTA 1000 event.
Gauff struggled against Moyuka Uchijima in her opening match which produced 21 double faults and an alarming 74 unforced errors in three sets.
But Gauff was far more solid against Maria Sakkari as she successfully avenged her defeat to the Greek player at Indian Wells in 2024.
Coco Gauff matches Serena and Venus Williams feats after reaching Indian Wells last 16
Gauff’s first set against Sakkari went to a tiebreak and the 20-year-old raised her game to win it with the loss of just one point.
The American stormed into a 5-2 lead in the second set, and despite a tricky final game, she closed out a 7-6(1), 6-2 victory.
This is the fourth time that Gauff has beaten Sakkari and in the process she reached the last 16 at Indian Wells for the third successive year.
As a result, Gauff is the first American player to make the last 16 at Indian Wells three years in a row since Venus Williams, and the youngest American to do this since Serena Williams.
Venus reached this stage of Indian Wells from to 2019, while Serena did so from 1999 to 2001, and won the title twice in that period.
Coco Gauff assesses victory over Maria Sakkari at Indian Wells
Gauff recorded her fourth victory over Sakkari after outlasting her at the 2025 Indian Wells Masters.
It took her one hour and 35 minutes to secure victory in conditions that were windy at times and made it tricky for the players.
Gauff came through a tough final game in which she served four double faults and saved four break points. Despite an untidy ending, Gauff was pleased with how she played.
“Except for the last game, I thought I played a great match,” she said. “Trying to look at the positives. A bit disappointed with the last game, but that’s just the perfectionist in me.
“I lost to Maria here last year in the semifinals, so it felt good to get a little revenge today… even though I love her.”
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