Maria Sakkari advances to round 3 in Guadalajara, Mexico beating Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-4
In a gritty match that saw Sakkari and Kostyuk combine for 22 break-point opportunities, it was Sakkari’s play on those big points that proved the difference. Kostyuk generated 13 break points but could only break twice, while Sakkari broke four times from nine chances. With the boisterous crowd willing her to the finish line, Sakkari rallied from 0-40 down in her final service game to close out the win.
“I come from a country that is very far, and I was actually surprised the last year that I got this love from every single Mexican in this tournament,” Sakkari said. “I’m very grateful and thankful for that. I’ll try and enjoy as much as I can this week because I want to stay until the end. I really like this place.”
Sakkari will face either Danielle Collins or Magdalena French in the Round of 16. But before that, the Greek star will be keeping watch on her good friend Vekic’s match against Kudermetova.
