Defending champion Kiki Bertens suffered an early exit at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston after a poor performance in a 7-6 (8) 6-3 third-round defeat to Maria Sakkari.
The Dutchwoman, 27, beat Madison Keys and Julia Goerges en route to the title in 2018, but she was unable to repeat those heroics this time around.
Bertens’ encounter with Sakkari was riddled with errors from both sides of the court. Neither player seemed able to find much rhythm and, consequently, there were five breaks of serve in the first six games.
At this stage, the World No.6 led 4-2. However, she played an appalling game on serve in the tenth game to allow her Greek opponent to draw level.
Despite this, Bertens should still have won the set. She wasted four set points in the tie-break and only had herself to blame when she eventually lost it 10-8.
In the second set, Sakkari stepped up. She pounced on the Dutchwoman’s uncertainties and broke her in successive games to move into a 3-1 lead.
Bertens tried to get back into it. She earned three chances to break in the sixth game and one in the eighth but did not manage to convert any of them.
These failures seemed to drain any remaining belief out of the World No.6. She surrendered her serve to love in the ninth game and her title defence was over.
Sakkari’s reward for victory could be a quarter-final meeting with former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane takes on Mihaela Buzarnescu later in the day.
Bencic’s stellar year continues
Belinda Bencic ensured her superb 2019 continued when she booked her place in the last eight with a 6-2 7-5 win over World No.83 Taylor Townsend.
The Swiss, 22, looked in superb touch as she unleashed 23 winners and only made 11 unforced errors during an impressive display of her all-court ability.
“The key is always to put pressure (on Townsend). The spin she puts on the ball makes her uncomfortable to play so, if you give her time, she will send you way out of the court.”
Bencic continued, “It means so much to be playing tennis again. My time out with injuries changed my perspective and taught me a lot. I realised it’s not bad when you lose a match; it’s bad when you cannot play at all. I’m really glad for all the experiences I’ve had in my career.”
The World No.21’s next experience will be a quarter-final clash with Petra Martic. The Croatian battled to a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win over American Jessica Pegula.
