Greece's young tennis star Maria Sakkari hit her way into the Western & Southern Open quarterfinal, after defeating former world No. 1 in women's single tennis, Serena Williams.
Sakkari defeated Williams 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-1.
"I haven't realized it yet," Sakkari said after the match.
"It feels pretty good, because she has been a role model for me growing up, and obviously what she has achieved is huge. So it feels very nice," she added.
Back to back @CincyTennis quarterfinal appearances! 🤩 @mariasakkari defeats Williams, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-1.#CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/MS4ckFnACD
— wta (@WTA) August 26, 2020
"It was tough," Serena said after the match. "I literally should have won that match. There was no excuse. It was hard, but I had so many opportunities to win, and I have to figure that one out, like how to start winning those matches again. There is really no excuses, to be honest."
Sakkari will now face Briton Johanna Konta.
"It's a dream come true... because she's a role model for me and for many other girls." 🙌@mariasakkari | #CInCyTENNIS pic.twitter.com/W1IcxgUscd
— wta (@WTA) August 26, 2020
