Maria Sakkari continues her US Open campaign after knocking out No.10 seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-3, on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
This is the second year in a row that the 26-year-old has managed to make it into the fourth round of the American Grand Slam and also completes her eighth win over a top 20 player this season.
“I think it was a great match,” Sakkari said in her post match interview. “It’s always tough to play against Petra, because she hits very hard, probably the hardest on the tour.”
READ MORE: Maria Sakkari moves into round three of the US Open, beating Katerina Siniakova
Kvitova was no easy opponent, having been the the former World No.2., along with winning the last two meetings she had with Sakkari.
This time, Sakkari came out as the more dynamic player, with 19 winners to 16 unforced errors in the match and managed to save the two break points she faced.
Kvitova’s usually powerful left-handed game seemed to be left behind for this match. The Czech also came out with only five aces to Sakkari’s nine.
“She’s lefty, so it makes your life even tougher. I was prepared that I’m gonna have to hit out of her rockets, but I’m very pleased with the way I served, the way I returned, and my attitude on court once again,” Sakkari said of her opponent.
Sakkari’s first major comeback of the match came as Kvitova secured a double break point at 2-1, with her top notch forehand down the line. The young Greek realised quickly that she had to switch up her game and dealt out some powerful returns, three of which Kvitova missed, giving Sakkari 2-2.
This set Sakkari off on a powerful crusade, taking herself to 3-2 with ease and claiming the rest of the match with precision and ease.
The 17 seed with be going up against Canadian Bianca Andreescu, whom she has only played against once, at the Miami Open in March.
“She can do everything on the court. She can hit hard, she can play high balls, can slice, can dropshot,” Sakkari said of her next opponent.
“She’s one of the toughest players on the tour, and she has had great results the last couple of years…She was unlucky to get some injuries, but I’m sure that made her stronger. It’s gonna be very tough for both of us. I’m pretty sure about that.”
You can catch the match at 11:00am AEST.
Stefanos Tsitsipas on the other hand has bid farewell to the round of 16, after a shock defeat dealt out by 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 0-6, 7-6.
It was a mammoth match at four hours and seven minutes of play.
Although Tsitsipas claimed six games in four of the five sets played, Alcaraz managed to clinch the crucial tie breaker sets.
“Incredible. Incredible feeling for me,” Alcaraz said in his post match interview.
“This victory means a lot to me. It’s the best match of my career, the best win.”
Tsitsipas’ run at this year’s US Open has been marred by controversy, after Andy Murray called out the World No. 3 for taking lengthy bathroom breaks and accused him of cheating.
Tsitsipas has hit back at the claim saying he is well within the rules.