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Maria Sakkari of Greece celebrates after match point against Amanda Anisimova of the United States (not pictured) on day six of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Maria Sakkari of Greece celebrates after match point against Amanda Anisimova of the United States (not pictured) on day six of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
It was the quarter-final at the Abu Dhabi Open 2021, and top-seeded Sofia Kenin was playing against Maria Sakkari. In an almost one-sided contest, but Sakkari made an incredible comeback and thrashed Kenin. The final scoreline of the match was 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.
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After having quite a disappointing first set, Sakkari didn’t lose hope. She won ten straight games in the second and third set and didn’t give any chance to Kenin. What was even more shocking to see was that she bageled the World No. 4 Kenin in the final set.
Sakkari will next face the ruthless Aryna Sabalenka in the semis of the Abu Dhabi Open. Although Sakkari is playing really well, she will be up against the player who is enjoying a 13-match winning streak at the moment. After her match against Kenin, Sakkari praised Sabalenka for her great run.
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Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after winning a point during her Women’s Singles second-round match against Daria Kasatkina of Russia on day five of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“I mean, she’s super confident now. We know each other, really? Well. We practice a lot together. I mean, she’s having a great career so far. And she’s really young,” said Sakkari to Essentially Sports at the press conference in Abu Dhabi.
The Greek player also called Sabalenka one of the strongest players. However, she believed that she has the potential of beating her again. “She’s one of the toughest players to play out there. And I beat her once so I think I can do it again,” added the 25-year-old Greek player.
“Gonna be a very very tough match”- Maria Sakkari
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Maria Sakkari of Greece serves against Serena Williams of the United States (not pictured) on day eight of the 2020 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Sakkari clearly said that Sabalenka was a really tough opponent. Although she seems super confident, she also highlighted that it would be a really tough match for both the players.
“I’m not saying that I will for sure. But it’s gonna be a very, very tough match for you know, for both. She is very powerful. And as I said, super confident now, so it’s gonna be an interesting match,” concluded Sakkari.
The stakes are already very high for the upcoming semi-final of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021. Both Sabalenka and Sakkari look strong contenders to win the title. Will Sakkari be able to break Sabalenka’s winning streak or will Sabalenka play yet another WTA tournament finale?
Also Read: Maria Sakkari bagels top seed Sofia Kenin at WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021
