Maria Sakkari beats American sensation Sofia Kenin in the quarterfinal of the WTA Abu Dhabi Open 2021.
The Greek has reached this stage of the tournament without dropping a set as yet. The performance by the rising tennis player in this entire tournament has been unrivalled.
It was their 3rd meeting and the Greek had not won before this quarterfinal match.
Set-1: Sofia Kenin Hands Maria Sakkari Her First Set Loss of the Tournament
America’s Sofia Kenin held her serve well in the opening stages of the match. She capitalized on the Greek tennis players weak service games in the initial stage.
The Greek managed to only register 40% of her first serves which proved costly for her.
Although Sakkari got a break back, she failed to save the 3 break points she handed her opponent.
Kenin eventually sealed the first set 6-2.
The No.1 seed @SofiaKenin takes the first set, 6-2! 👏#AbuDhabiWTA pic.twitter.com/2FOSjxAsfq
— wta (@WTA) January 11, 2021
Set-2: Maria Sakkari Fights Back to Take the Second Set
In a turn of events, the Greek lifted her spirit and started to serve well.
She ended the set with 4 aces and saved 3 breakpoints, while converting 2 out of the 6 she received.
She won 11 out of her 16 first-serve points against Kenin’s 14 out of 28.
A decider it is! 😀@mariasakkari takes the second set, 6-2.#AbuDhabiWTA pic.twitter.com/DSrBZCwmYd
— wta (@WTA) January 11, 2021
Set-3: Maria Sakkari Hands the Bagel to win the Match
After winning the second set, the Greek was at ease. Kenin was clearly feeling the pressure and failed to win 30% of her first-serve points, which did prove costly.
She dominated her way through the third set and sealed it with a 6-0 win, giving her opponent absolutely no remorse.
The Greek won the last 10 games in a row, clearly stamping her authority.
10 straight games! 🤩@mariasakkari takes out the No.1 seed Kenin, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.#AbuDhabiWTA pic.twitter.com/SyARcLFpkY
— wta (@WTA) January 11, 2021
Sakkari will now meet Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final.
