Sakkari survives a scare
Greece’s Maria Sakkari defeated Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele 6-3 3-6 7-5 in the first round of the 2020 US Open.
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Having never beaten the Swiss world number 114 after two previous meetings, Sakkari was not off to a good start after being broken in the opening game of the match. The Greek was then able to reel off four consecutive games to go up 4-1, and she ultimately closed out the set 6-3. However, Voegele then went up 3-0 in the second set, before Sakkari fought back to level it at 3-3. Voegele, who has not won a main draw match at a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, then won three games in a row to take the set 6-3 and force a decisive third set.
At 2-2 in the third set, Sakkari fell behind 0-40 on serve and seemed to be in real danger. Nevertheless, the Greek world number 22 was then able to save three break points and hold serve. Later, up 6-5, the Greek won four consecutive points (from 30-0 down) to break Voegele for the match, earning a 6-3 3-6 7-5 win. Sakkari ended the match with 38 winners and 35 unforced errors, while Voegele had 23 winners and 27 unforced errors.
Sakkari will now take on American Bernarda Pera (world number 61) in the second round on Thursday. The 25-year-old from Athens won their only previous meeting in straight sets at Wimbledon 2019, though Pera did beat Sakkari once in a junior match back in 2010.
In action on Wednesday will be men’s world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, as he will face American wildcard Maxime Cressy (world number 168) in his second round match.
