Coco Gauff was left stunned in her presser after learning that Maria Sakkari was her next Indian Wells opponent as the world No. 3 thought that she was facing either Belinda Bencic or Amanda Anisimova.
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On Saturday, the 2023 US Open champion survived a real drama in her opening match in the desert after outlasting Moyuka Uchijima 6-4 3-6 7-6 (4). Following her win, the American tennis star was asked if she was aware of her next match.
"I think I play the winner of, is it Bencic and Amanda?" Gauff asked.
After being told her next rival was No. 29 seed Sakkari, the 20-year-old responded: "Oh, my gosh, I don't know what draw I'm looking at. I never look at the draw, but I don't know why I thought it was that."
To Gauff's defense, Bencic and Anisimova are in her part of the draw. And if she and Anisimova win their respective third-round matches, they will meet in the Indian Wells round-of-16.
Gauff on what she expects from the Sakkari match
When the No. 3 seed and the No. 29 seed square off in Indian Wells, it will be their ninth meeting but also the first one since the Greek upset the American 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-2 in the desert last year. Overall, Sakkari has always been a tricky for the American and the 20-year-old acknowledges that she is preparing for another very tough match.
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"Yeah, last year I felt like she was playing pretty aggressive. You know, every time I play her, it's a tough match. She's a very athletic player. Big on both sides. Same with the serve," Gauff explained.
"But I think for me I guess my keys will just be to focus on my end of the court and accept that she's going to hit some great shots. She's a great player. I think just trying to focus on my end and be ready and know that it's going to be a physical match."
