Sakkari’s Australian Open dream comes to an end

The Greek rising star lost to emerging Queenslander Ashleigh Barty, who now passes to the fourth round

Maria Sakkari waves as she leaves Rod Laver Arena after losing her third round match Australia's Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open tennis championships. Photo: AAP via AP/ Kin Cheung

18 January 2019 2:01pm

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Maria Sakkari did her best today, playing against Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, but ended up losing 7-5, 6-1 in an hour and 20 minutes.

The Queenslander described Greece’s rising tennis star as a “great friend” ahead of the match, which saw both emerging players in great form, delivering a spectacle that kept viewers on edge.

Particularly the first set was tightly-contested, the two opponents staying toe to toe with each other, both creating break chances in the first two games. Barty was first to break though – and later the first to reach set point with a break chance at 5-4. Sakkari didn’t let it go unanswered, but the No.15 seed managed to seal the set two games later.

From then on, Barty’s prevalence was apparent, despite taking a medical time-out after the first set. Gaining confidence, the Queenslander directed the balls to the middle of the court, depriving a clearly frustrated Sakkari of the angles she prefers. Winning five games in a row, Barty edged Sakkari out of the third round, stopping her Australian Open dream to move to the fourth round.

In total, Barty fired 13 aces – with no double faults – across both sets, and wracked up 29 winners and 20 unforced errors, while Sakkari was contained to just nine and 26, respectively.