The Greek fought off a late rally by Sabalenka to remain undefeated at this year’s WTA Finals.
Maria Sakkari is finding her best form at the right time in 2022. The Greek dispatched Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday in Fort Worth to book her spot in the last four at the WTA Finals, 6-2, 6-4.
“I felt like I did nothing wrong from three-love,” Sakkari said after the victory. “Maybe I was a little bit passive, but at the same time, she started making more balls. She started being more aggressive. She was making every shot she wasn’t missing like in the first set and a half.
“I just told myself keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll get your chances and you know with a little bit of well deserved luck I would say, I managed to close out the match.”
Sakkari overpowered Jessica Pegula in her first match at the WTA Finals. She was also a semi-finalist on her debut last year in Guadalajara.
Things were tense down the stretch, and Sakkari got a little help from the Greek gods in the last game, aka a fortunate net cord bounce.
It was well-deserved, she said.
“I believe that you earn your luck. Sometimes it’s nice to have a little bit of luck. I’m not very lucky on the court,” Sakkari said.
