Rebeka Masarova has recorded the biggest win of her career at the US Open after knocking out Maria Sakkari in straight sets in the first round.
Masarova, who is a former junior world No.2, recovered from a tentative start to beat Sakkari 6-4, 6-4, on Court 17 in New York. It is the first time she has beaten a top 10 player on the Tour after failing to do so in her four previous attempts. Against the Greek, she hit 22 winners and won 66% of her first service points.
Coming into the match Sakkari said during a recent interview that she believes she was on ‘the right track’ after suffering back-to-back losses at Grand Slam tournaments earlier this year. Taking on Masarova, the Greek looked to be in control early on as she surged to a 4-1 lead in the opening set. However, world No.71 Masarova began to elevate her level as she battled back to draw level. Gaining momentum, the Swiss then broke Sakkari in the following game with the help of a blistering forehand winner. Serving to take the opener, she closed it out with an ace.
Despite her comeback, Masarova remained weary of the challenge she faced after the previous time they met. Earlier this year in Madrid, she won the first set before losing. However, at Flushing Meadows she stuck to her game plan and continued to wear down her opponent who began to make more unforced errors. Piling on the pressure with the use of her heavy hitting, she broke an erratic Sakkari once more in the seventh game of the second set. Closing in on her milestone win, she secured two match points with the help of a serve that her opponent returned out. After missing her first chance, she converted her second with a backhand winner that landed right on the line.
“I was nervous, but I started well. It’s not that I was tight, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Sakkari told sdna.gr. “I was up 4-1, I wasn’t playing great, but I did what I had to do. I continued to have anxiety, but it’s not like I lost my mind. I can not explain it. It’s very unpleasant for me.”
“I am constantly trying to improve myself, in various ways. Maybe I need more time to get to where I want to be.’
“I really feel like I’m making a lot of effort, especially in the psychological part. It’s not just sitting and waiting to get better. I’m really working on it and I’m sure I’ve chosen the right person (coach). I guess I need time.”
Sakkari’s defeat comes during what has been a nightmare year for her at Grand Slam tournaments. She has failed to win a match in three out of four events played with her only success occurring at the Australian Open in January where she reached the third round.
Meanwhile, Masarova is through to the second round of a major event for only the third time in her career and the second time she has done so at the US Open after 2021. Earlier this year, she reached her first WTA Final at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
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