Maria Sakkari will face Jessica Pegula in the second round at the Canadian Open after she edged past home country wildcard Carson Branstine in a tense three-set battle.
Sakkari, currently ranked No. 88 in the world, came into the WTA 1000 event looking to build momentum after a turbulent season.
She started strongly, taking the first set 6-2 but Branstine, buoyed by the home crowd, fought back in the second set, breaking Sakkari twice to take it 6-3.
The final set saw both players exchange breaks, with Sakkari ultimately holding her nerve, breaking in the final game to seal the win 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 after nearly two hours on court.
The 29-year-old Greek hit six aces and won 70 per cent of her first-serve points, but was also forced to save six break points in the decider.
On the men’s side, Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has a seed of 23, will face Australian Christopher O’Connell in his opening match tomorrow.
