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Maria Sakkari Upsets Defending Champion Iga Swiatek in Straight Sets to Reach French Open 2021 Semifinals
Greek professional Maria Sakkari put on yet another incredible performance at the French Open 2021 quarterfinals. She upset the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, 4-6, 4-6.
Coming into this match, the 20-year-old Pole registered a comfortable win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk. On the other side, the 25-year-old Greek denied last year’s finalist Sofia Kenin in the fourth round.
Thus, both players were ready and eager to make it to the Roland-Garros 2021 semifinals. In that process, they both snatched an early break in the opening set.
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Maria Sakkari dominates Iga Swiatek in the opening set
Undoubtedly, Swiatek has shown unparalleled confidence in her title defense campaign. It even helped her confirm the first break in the second game, giving her a 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal match.
However, Sakkari answered back immediately and recovered the break. She also managed to keep the aggressive Pole at bay, backing her break for a 2-2 scoreline.
What came further was what tennis fans expect from a Slam quarterfinal. Both Sakkari and Swiatek leveled up in the fifth game. Although the Greek got herself break points, the Pole kept her composure and held her serve at 3-2.
Jeu Swiatek
That’s one way to secure the hold. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Hzs27RAORJ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2021
Following that, the duo each dominated on their serve. Moreover, Sakkari and Swiatek equally tried to hit winners more quickly, and hence their unforced errors meter ran even faster. At 4-4, there was nothing to separate the two on any parameter.
Afterward, things went down for the reigning champion as she lost her serve in the ninth game. Despite saving a set point in the next game, Swiatek failed to stop Sakkari from closing the set.
A surprise end to the opening set; the score: 4-6 in favor of Sakkari.
Making moves in Paris
@mariasakkari takes the opening set with a roar!#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/ox8skOeQQG
— wta (@WTA) June 9, 2021
Swiatek vs. Sakkari: Second set
Inarguably, the 2021 Italian Open champion had a lot to work to do to reach the semifinals in Paris. It was all nerves that made things more difficult for Swiatek.
Consequently, the 20-year-old kept missing on finding the court, whereas Sakkari boosted her confidence on every opportunity. In no time, the first-time Slam quarterfinalist from Greek was four games away from making it into the last four at Roland-Garros.
Trailing 0-2 in the second set, Swiatek left the court for a three-minute medical time-out, citing a troubling thigh. In the meantime, Sakkari kept warming up to stay in the match mood.
Fortunately, the break settled the young Pole’s nerves as she comfortably held her serve. Conversely, the Greek professional enjoyed her time on the court, and she did not give Swiatek any free points.
The disappointed Swiatek pushed herself farther away from returning to the match. Without a fight, Sakkari came one game away from the next round, leading 4-6, 3-5.
As a final fight, the defending champion held her serve to stay in the match and asked Sakkari to serve it out. Overpowering her opponent until the end, the Greek ended the match with her best game. Moreover, she became the second first-time semifinalist of the tournament, winning it 4-6, 4-6.
She will meet another first-time Slam semifinalist Barbara Krejcikova for a place in the French Open 2021 final. Will the Swiatek upset help Sakkari clinch her maiden Grand Slam title?
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