MARIA SAKKARI: I dedicate my victory to Greece, winning for Greece makes me proud

After her brilliant victory against Karolina Plíšková which earned her a place at the  semifinals of the US Open,  Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari said she dedicated her victory to Greece.

"It is a great moment for Greece and I did not have the opportunity to say it on the field, but I dedicate this victory to Greece, because we suffered a lot last month with the fires. "Winning for Greece, making Greeks proud and happy, especially in these difficult times, makes me even happier, because you know how much I love my country.

"I served very well, I did not realize that I gained 22 points in a row. I was also impressed. I managed the pressure and the expectations well, especially at the end of the match. It was hard to close, but I think I did quite well. I am at the best age of my career. I feel more mature than ever. Each player breaks through at a different age. Now is probably my time, at 26.

"I was not so good junior, I was not a star when I was 18-19, I had to work hard and sacrifice a lot of my life, but now it compensates me and at the age of 26 I can achieve these results."

The 17th seeded Sakkari is the first Greek woman to make it this far at Flushing Meadows with her brilliant victory over Pliskova.

This is a great achievement for Sakkari who has never made it past the fourth round in 20 appearances at major tournaments.

READ: Maria Sakkari Wins One Of The Wildest Matches In US Open History