"Iga Swiatek is Serena Williams of this generation"; "Send her to ATP" - Fans react to Pole demolishing Maria Sakkari to win 2nd Indian Wells title

Iga Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari to win the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells for the second time in her career, which has sent tennis fans into a frenzy.

Swiatek dominated Sakkari in the summit clash of the WTA 1000 event on March 17, wrapping up the match in just an hour and nine minutes. The Pole even double-bageled her opponent in the second set, sealing the victory with a final scoreline of 6-4, 6-0. This win marked Swiatek's second title of the season, following her triumph at the Qatar Open last month.

The four-time Grand Slam champion became the first top seed to lift the Indian Wells trophy since Victoria Azarenka did 12 years ago. She will now aim to be the only woman to achieve the Sunshine Double for the second time since Steffi Graf (1994, 1996).

Iga Swiatek got her hands on the accolade for the first time in 2022, coincidentally beating Sakkari to win Indian Wells in the final. This indicates that history might just repeat itself soon when the Miami Open starts on March 19.

Tennis fans have now taken to X (formerly Twitter) to react to Swiatek demolishing Maria Sakkari to win the WTA 1000 event. One user was particularly impressed by how the World No. 1 makes even very skilled players appear "ordinary."

"It's damn impressive how ordinary Iga Swiatek makes really very good tennis players look," they wrote.

Another wrote:

"Just send her to the ATP already it’s unfair."

One account posted:

"Oh, a bagel to win a masters is WILD."

"She's the Serena Williams of this generation," one fan tweeted.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

"I hope we can play a lot more finals and get to face each other" - Maria Sakkari after Indian Wells loss to Iga Swiatek

Maria Sakkari had some interesting words to share after losing the 2024 BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells to Iga Swiatek.

Sakkari apologized to the audience for not living up to their expectations. She then showered her opponent with praise, hoping that they would get to play more finals together.

"Thank you all very much for coming today," Sakkari said during her runner-up speech. "Sorry, I couldn't put on a better fight. It was pretty quick for you guys but credit to Iga. You are amazing player, very good person, incredible champion. You deserve the best, you and your team, congrats guys."

"You have created something incredible. I really hope we can play a lot more finals and get to face each other, that means we are both doing something good. Good luck with everything. As I said, you are amazing so best wishes for you and your team of course," the Greek added.

Swiatek and Sakkari will now head to the Miami Open (March 19-31) where they are seeded as No. 1 and No. 8, respectively.