"I took a step forward this week" - Sakkari after loss to Swiatek

The 26-year-old Sakkari came up short against new World No.2 Iga Swiatek, losing 6-4, 6-1, but Sakkari is already eyeing a charge at next week's Miami Open.

The loss was a painful one for Sakkari who is still chasing that elusive big trophy but it was a step forward for her as she explained after the match. A step forward that will allow her to rise to number 3 in the world ranking which is a new career-high. Following the loss, she said:

"I think I played some very, very good matches. I really believe I took a step forward this week, even though I lost today. It was a week that will have a special place in my heart. I know it sounds kind of weird because I did not win the tournament, but I felt like I improved as a player this week. I'm just going to take that with me and move forward."

Speaking further, she said:

"It was a week that winning [against] these players, overcoming myself in certain situations, was the key for me, to just believe more in myself and see myself in these positions and these later stages of the tournament. I'm disappointed. I'm not going to hide that. I'm very disappointed I did not win today. But there are a lot of positive things that I'll take with me."

She also reflected on Swiatek calling their rivalry a great one:

"Iga said we'll be playing [each other] for 10 more years, but I don't think I'll be playing for 10 more years tennis. There's an age difference between [us]. But I believe what she says. As long as I'll be playing for, there will be a lot of matches between the two of us."