Indian Wells 2023: Maria Sakkari defeats Karolina Pliskova, handshake, score, results, draw, video

The biggest tournament outside of Grand Slams comes to an end as the competition takes on even more importance.

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And it seems that as the games get even more intense, the stars are struggling to hide their displeasure with the relegation.

On Wednesday, it was former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova’s turn to throw toys out of her crib when she landed on Maria Sakkari.

The two-time Grand Slam finalist lost in a tight three-set fight with Sakkari advancing 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 after two hours and 45 minutes.

But it was at the net that the fireworks exploded when Pliskova refused to look her opponent in the eyes as they shook hands.

According to tennis journalist José Morgado, the apparent reason she didn’t watch is because Pliskova believed Sakkari got away with cheating in the third set.

“Sakkari survives, 2 hours 45 minutes, at QF in Indian Wells. Don’t look at Pliskova’s handshake, who thinks Maria cheated later in the 3rd. Kaya says that Sakkari touched the ball at the net, the referee did not see this, Maria denies this, ”Morgado wrote on Twitter.

No. 7 seed Sakkari’s win takes her into the quarterfinals against No. 15 seed Petra Kwitoa, who saved four match points to take her place.

The two-time Wimbledon champion shocked third-place American Jessica Pegula 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 to advance to the quarterfinals in Indian Wells for the first time in seven years.

Kvitova, a former world No. 2 now ranked 15th in the world, will attempt to reach her first semi-final at Indian Wells in her 12th match when she faces last year’s runner-up Sakkari.

“I had all these emotions, ups and downs throughout the match, at some point it was a disaster, and then I just made winners.

“I don’t know how many match points I saved today – four? Oh! I don’t know how I did it.”

In the men’s draw, top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarter-finals of Indian Wells as Britain’s Jack Draper retired in the fourth round matchup with a right flank injury.

Spaniard Alcaraz, who could return to world number one with a third ATP Masters 1000 title this week, led 6-2, 2-0 when Draper, who was being treated by a physio, stopped after 46 minutes on the court.

“It’s not the way someone wants to win a match because something is wrong,” Alcaraz said. “All I can say is that I hope he gets better soon.” 19-year-old Alcaraz became the youngest ever male number one last year after his premature triumph at the US Open.

But after a stomach injury hampered him late last year and a leg injury missed the Australian Open, he fell behind Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic is out this week as he is banned from entering the United States because he refused Covid-19 vaccinations.

– with AFP

Originally published as Maria Sakkari burned out from a brutal handshake after defeating Pliskova