Ashleigh Barty Ousts Maria Sakkari to Move Into The Semifinals of Cincinnati Open 2019

The top-seed in Cincinnati, Ashleigh Barty faced the Greek tennis player, Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open 2019. After dropping a set, the Australian began dominating the match and pulled off a 5-7, 6-2, 6-0 victory in the Buckeye state. 

Barty seemed to have good control over the ball and with a half volley on the net with on Sakkari’s opening serve, Australia’s Number one tennis player led by 2-0 in the opening set.

Barty Break

Despite, trailing behind by a break, Sakkari ensured to raise her momentum at the crucial moment of the set. While she was 5-2 down on her serve, she made a gutsy hold and right after that, she broke Ashleigh Barty to love for a 5-4 scoreline.

Good Job Maria!

Making no mistakes in the set and displaying a better play at the net than Barty, Sakkari balanced out the set at 5-5. The women baseliners were hitting the ball back and forth and a clutch on the net cord by the World Number 33, Sakkari gave rise to a break point while Barty was on serve.

A Fortunate Return

With not taking much time she converted the break and ventured a step closer towards the semifinals in the Mason stadium by taking the set 7-5. The Greek ace won five games consecutive game to lead by a set against the reigning French Open champion, Ashleigh Barty.

Sakkari takes the set!

In the second, the women took time to seal their initial service games, then it was Ashleigh Barty again breaking Sakkari’s serve for a 3-1 lead. Barty was extra-charged in the second than the previous one and the Greek woman gave her best to outdo the World Number two tennis player. The powerful exchange of groundstrokes from the baseline were pleasing to watch.

Serviceline Tennis!

Forehand!

The scoreline seemed to have similar traits as the premiere set, as Barty again led by 5-2, but this time she was quick and equalized the match by conquering the set at 6-2.

One Set All

In the third set, Sakkari lost her momentum in the game and called coach as Ash led by 3-0 in the decider.

Discussion with her coach: 

“Don’t just tell me what I can’t do! What do you mean? I don’t understand what you mean!” said Sakkari.

Barty again broke Sakkari by playing passing shots and a drop-shot to take the lead by 4-0 0, failing to retaliate, her dominance ameliorated for a 5-0 lead in the deciding set.

Lob!

The Australian dropped two games after losing her prosperous lead in the first set and later bageled her Greek opponent for a place in the semifinals of Ohio’s premiere five event.

Semifinals!